<p style="text-align: left"><strong><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">The following piece was awarded Highly Commended in the OU Students Association Freshers Writing Competition for Freshers Fortnight 2023 (25 Sept &#8211; 8 Oct). The author, Jamie-Lee, lives in Chelmsford and is studying towards BSc (Hons) Psychology.</span></strong></p>
<p>Content warning: mental health, anxiety.</p>
<p> ;</p>
<p style="text-align: center">Caught in an hourglass, well, that’s how I feel,</p>
<p style="text-align: center">Heart beating fast, my panic becomes real.</p>
<p style="text-align: center">I try to be brave and step outside my zone,</p>
<p style="text-align: center">But nerves grip me, oh I feel so alone.</p>
<p> ;</p>
<p style="text-align: center">Time continues on at its steady pace,</p>
<p style="text-align: center">But my mind is lost, running in a race.</p>
<p style="text-align: center">To fit in, to speak up, to make a friend,</p>
<p style="text-align: center">To reach those things, my fears don’t end.</p>
<p> ;</p>
<p style="text-align: center">The hours pass, days turn to weeks,</p>
<p style="text-align: center">And though time moves on, my anxiety speaks.</p>
<p style="text-align: center">Every part of my life is a constant strain,</p>
<p style="text-align: center">My struggles with social circles, will always remain.</p>
<p> ;</p>
<p style="text-align: center">But I know for certain, that time is my friend,</p>
<p style="text-align: center">Each minute I get, a chance to try it again.</p>
<p style="text-align: center">With courage and strength, I&#8217;ll face my fears,</p>
<p style="text-align: center">To let go of my anxiety, when it appears.</p>
<p> ;</p>
<p style="text-align: center">For ‘emit’ spelt in reverse is a message in time,</p>
<p style="text-align: center">Overcoming my anxiety, for certain a climb.</p>
<p style="text-align: center">With belief in myself, to walk out the door,</p>
<p style="text-align: center">And live with my social anxiety, no more.</p>

Caught In An Hourglass
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