This feels as if I have been catapulted back in time, and the teacher utters the words: ‘We’ll do an introduction round. Tell us how old you are and your hobbies.’

Those words were enough to tighten every muscle I have and completely ignore what the other kids were saying (unless I wanted some inspiration). 

There’s nothing more confrontational than having to figure out who you are under pressure. Do I even have hobbies? Who am I? Am I getting too old, and is life just rushing past? Are other people more interesting than I am? I’ll stop myself there because I could keep going forever until I have to curl into a ball on the floor and cry.

But after sidetracking from the whole point of this paragraph, here it is: Hi, I’m Helena—28 years old, and my hobbies are: dwelling on life, making up stories in my head to escape reality, and writing some of those down and posting them here!

(Oh, and I also love birdwatching!)

“Don’t be afraid to feel. Let it all in, and I wish for you to come out the other side lighter.”