This image portrays a young woman slumped over a desk, surrounded by the remnants of burned newspapers. Her expression is weary not just with fatigue, but with quiet frustration and emotional weight. The ashes of the media around her speak to the overwhelming flood of information, misinformation, and societal chaos that constantly surrounds us. In today’s world, teens are expected to stay informed, to care, to act yet we’re also bombarded with negativity that leaves us feeling powerless. This work captures the paralysis that comes from caring too much while feeling like nothing we do can make a difference. The news we’re supposed to consume for awareness often ends up consuming us instead. The desk, often a place for learning and growth, becomes a battleground of burnout and disillusionment. The fire is a metaphor for outrage, passion, and destruction all at once, but what’s left is only confusion, exhaustion, and ashes. This piece reflects the emotional toll of living in a world on fire.
