Gemotions

The vibrant colors of the campus mural, usually a source of inspiration, now felt mocking. She stood before it, the paint looking faded and dull, mirroring the emptiness she felt inside. The closure of the university seemed to amplify her personal shortcomings. The news had left her feeling cold.

She should have worked harder, she thought. She should have pushed herself more. She should have taken more risks. She should have ignored the doubts, silenced the insecurities. Instead, she had shrunk, hidden, wasted her time.

She wrapped her arms around herself, as if trying to physically contain the flood of negative emotions. The wind whipped at her hair, a cold, uncaring breeze that seemed to echo the message. She was inadequate.