Inside us burns an unquenchable fire—alive, powerful, capable of great deeds. Yet sometimes it may feel as if this force is shackled by invisible chains, as if we’re pushing against an unseen barrier. But there is no prison—nothing truly holds us back. There is no “straitjacket,” only a door waiting to be opened.

If we stop banging against the glass, catch our breath, and take a step back, we might realize that it’s our own tension, fear, and expectations that keep us from seeing the way out. And all this time, the door has been opening toward us.

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Yes, sometimes it feels as if the whole world is closing in around you, leaving you trapped between “I want” and “I can’t.” Plans fall apart, and you’re left with a sense of helplessness. If you feel like you’re not strong enough, not smart enough, not “ready enough”—these are the moments when holding onto your inner strength matters most.

Because behind the feeling of “I can’t handle this” often lies not weakness, but the need to pause and recalibrate. It’s like taking a breath before a leap—not retreating, but standing at the threshold.

Stop fighting the tension. Don’t scold yourself for anxiety or confusion. Try to see the situation with lightness, as if it were a game—one where you’re not just a player, but the author of your own story. Let that story be about freedom, about the courage to be real! Even when the game has its rules, you can always change them—or create your own.

You don’t have to be like everyone else. Your style, your perspective, even your “quirks”—these are what make you you. Stop bending to others’ expectations. Stop limiting yourself. Start playing by your own rules!

May all doors open for you!
© Elena Shuwany