There is a town in the Cinque Terre region of Italy called Bonassola, named for women whose husbands went out to sea- the Italian phrase is "buona da sola" which translates to "good alone" or as the article states "just fine by themselves"... after a recent breakup, I not only found myself alone, but back in my childhood home, quarantined due to COVID-19. It is the first time I have not only had time on my hands, but time to tap into the creativity that I had pushed aside during my teenage years. In an effort to "blend-in" I packed away all art supplies and sewing materials any other creative outlets I had once found solace in. Then the anxiety and depression gripped me, and I spent the remainder of high school digging out of that black hole.
Once at college, I faced many fears and overcame them. I found a group of friends, met my boyfriend and yet again, found myself moving with the crowd. It wasn't until I was back at home, under confinement and newly single that I rediscovered the real me.
