Gemotions

The coach clapped him on the shoulder. “Great hustle, Mark, but we’re moving you to the bench.” Mark’s face fell. He’d always been a starter, a vital part of the team. Now, he was supposed to watch from the sidelines. The words felt like a judgment.

Each practice was torture. He felt the sting of exclusion, the feeling that he was no longer good enough. He heard the coach’s instructions, but none of them were meant for him. He replayed his mistakes over and over in his head.

He became withdrawn and avoided his teammates. He felt a deep sense of inadequacy, a feeling that he had let everyone down. The silence of the bench was deafening, a constant reminder of his perceived failings.