Prose by Muaad Sucule

We live in a dual world. There are so many opportunities, yet so much misery across the globe. There’s so much to be grateful for, and at the same time, so much to be sad about. Somehow, everything feels like it’s changing, and the past seemed easier.

This is a dual world. There has been so much improvement in our personal journeys, yet there is still such a long way to go. We often feel invisible, yet there is so much connectivity through social media. We have gained so much knowledge about history and oppression, yet there is still so much division.

We live in a time of great technological advancement, yet there is an increasing sense of disconnection from reality. Our lives are more convenient than ever, yet we struggle with anxiety and depression at unprecedented levels. We have access to endless information, yet it often leaves us feeling more confused than informed. There is a surge in self-expression, yet many feel more misunderstood and isolated.

We have become more environmentally conscious, yet our consumption habits are driving us closer to ecological disaster. We demand transparency from those in power, yet misinformation spreads faster than ever before. There is a growing recognition of mental health, yet stigma and barriers to care persist. We cherish individuality, yet often conform to societal expectations. We celebrate diversity, yet prejudice and discrimination still thrive.

There is so much glorification of romance, yet so many gender wars. There are so many more educated people, yet so many more arguments. There are so many calls for peace, yet so much war in the world. There is so much awareness of our identity, yet so many feelings of not belonging. There is so much talk of religion, yet so few spiritual people. There is so much focus on “me and you,” yet so little on “us.”

There are so many more jobs, yet it is so difficult to acquire wealth. There is so much more discussion about emotional intelligence, yet so much more silent heartbreak. I’m tired of all this duality; I’m tired of this period. I think we secretly wish to be younger, not because of youth, but because we were blissfully unaware of this harsh, relentless world.