Between Joy and Jealousy

<p>I was always a really good kid. I did my homework, ate my vegetables, and made my bed. I was happy and I wanted everyone else to be happy too. So when I began this project, I was not prepared to face the reality of what surfaced.</p> <p>Quite unexpectedly, I found myself drawn to themes of loneliness and loss, of interpersonal connection, and finding center in the midst of transition. Because, when I really got down to it, I discovered that growing up is often a lonely process. The journey of moving from childhood to adulthood is one that you have to complete on your own. It’s a solitary pilgrimage of self-reflection and choice.</p> <p>Thus, this project sought to examine those moments of seclusion and isolation in some way, digging deep into the idea that every situation is either making a connection or retracting from it. There is conflict embedded in the very nature of this journey.</p> <p>For me, this has manifested in my navigation of extremes—the reaching out and the pulling in—as I relate to my family and friends. Walking this narrow rope will likely be a lifetime commitment, as I begin to unravel who I am and who I can become.</p>