Little Orange Chair

Do you ever feel like you’ve lost yourself? Maybe it’s just a part of becoming an adult. I remember being twelve, begging my older sister to play dress up with us younger sisters, and she kept trying to explain, “I just don’t like those things anymore! I don’t like to play.” In my adolescent mind I swore, “I’ll never grow up like that. How could anyone forget how fun it is to play?” But I have forgotten. I find no joy in the things I once did. I get embarrassed far too easily, blushing at the idea of wearing a costume or twirly dress. Have I just misplaced my priorities somehow?  Why can’t I wear glitter or costumes or talk to animals or paint without reserve or tap into my desire to perform and be watched? What happened to my abandon to creativity? Somewhere along the line I pushed those small joys down and away. The friendless young lady I once was started making friends by caring what other people thought. I began to be concerned about what was “cool” or what would g...