INTROSPECT
PRESSING PAUSE II HOW ONE DECISION REDIRECTED MY FUTURE
Looking back at our lives, it’s difficult to see our struggles for what they really were. Often, as soon as we’re out of the dark and back into the light, we develop instant amnesia of the intensity and toxicity that we have just faced. Whether as a coping mechanism response to great trauma, or simply an incessant lust to forget the adversity we’ve recently faced, quite often we shrug our shoulders, pick ourselves up, and mutter
quietly, ‘well, it wasn’t that bad’.
if quite damaging. After being diagnosed with HIV late last year, my fight has Some hills, however, leave been one of love and loss, you out of breath long and I’m simply grateful after both the insufferable to be able to stand here climb and ultimate descent today, a little bruised, but back down to reality. It can thriving. take weeks, if not months for your charisma, charm, As a writer who has and character to return; it somehow stumbled can feel as if the old you into a career as a music is on hiatus elsewhere, journalist, I’ve often still up in those clouds, romanticised the events perched out of fear for of my life. Heartbreak, what lies ahead; at least since discovering sexual the old is comforting, even attraction, has always 26
