My Take on Fences by Angelina Liu

312448 — 2024-03-26 14:52:07 UTC

Metaphorically, fences are the mental barriers that we set in whether it be to block others out, keep others in, ultimately to protect ourselves from harm.

312448 — 2024-03-26 14:56:19 UTC

We keep positive and beneficial things in our life and toss the negative and old things that perhaps no longer serve a purpose.

312448 — 2024-03-26 14:57:35 UTC

Barriers keep us safe. We build up walls ("fences") to ensure that we, at our cores, remain safe. No one wants harm to come their way.

312448 — 2024-03-26 14:59:10 UTC

The types of fences we build up depend on the people we surround ourselves around. Whether it be people of another race or another gender, our personal characters are shaped by the people around us. As much as people say they are independent, they are still influenced by others to a certain extent.

312448 — 2024-03-26 15:00:58 UTC

The barriers that we set up can often feel isolating, that no one is on our side, or that there is no one to trust. Oftentimes, many barriers are formed as a result of trauma, to offer a form of protection from further harm.

312448 — 2024-03-26 15:02:34 UTC

Even our closest ones, such as family, can often feel distant as we age. Setting up barriers to protect what feels true to ourselves, whether it be pursuing our dreams without the opinions of others.

312448 — 2024-03-26 15:05:09 UTC

Fences are set up to prevent others from invading our personal space. Fences exist both physically and mentally. Physically, we may distance ourselves from others we dislike. Mentally, we may ignore those we despise or have no interest in.

312448 — 2024-03-26 15:07:04 UTC

Aging provides us with more life experience and better equipped for life. More barriers are formed out of protection for ourselves.

312448 — 2024-03-26 15:08:50 UTC

Fences come in all sorts of layers. There may be parts we show to people dear to us and others we hide from those we may not be so close to. Fences can be opened and closed depending on the person and how much of ourselves we let through.

312448 — 2024-03-26 15:15:25 UTC

Despite how much I can rely on friends, I still set up fences around them. I reserve parts of myself for only myself and keep certain things I want hidden private. This is usually out of embarrassment or anxiety.