Coming home for the summer from my freshman year at Clemson, I never expected the nostalgia to hit me so hard and so quickly. This was without a doubt the best year of my life so far, filled with new friends and experiences I had only dreamed of up until this point. For me, being at school felt like some kind of ideal world where I could finally feel confident and admired, inspired and excited for whatever was to come; a feeling foreign to me. Saying goodbye to my friends was so bittersweet, but I still found a hint of peace in remembering the summers past and how I used to count down the days until the school year was over. Unfortunately, this summer has not felt the same as the rest.

I realized quickly why I felt so lonely and empty when I came home; I was slowly but surely coming down off of the crazy high that college gave me. The unpleasant memories of high school accompanied by the recollection of my Freshman year have created a descent into normality that has made me sad, wistful and a little antsy. The minute I got a taste of the euphoria college life gave me, I knew being home would never feel the same. Maybe the feeling is elevated for me since my high school experiences were so damaging for me, but I know I can't be the only one who is feeling a little gloomy.