The simplest task feels insurmountable—like climbing a mountain when you're already out of breath. The weight of all expectations, both from others and myself, settles onto my shoulders like an impossibly heavy coat. I think about reaching out to friends, but the thought of opening up is even scarier than sitting silently with my worries. It’s a lonely balance, feeling the world move on while I stand still, paralyzed by doubt and trepidation. I find solace in the quiet, but the quiet can often echo back my unfounded fears, making it deafening.