Quote by Emily Giffin
Anxiety was not an emotion I could ever remember feeling when I went out in New York, and I wondered why tonight felt so different. Maybe it was because I no longer had a boyfriend or fiance. I suddenly recognized that there was safety in having someone, as well as a lack of pressure to shine. Ironically, this had cultivated a certain free-spiritedness that had, in turn, allowed me to be the life of the party and hoard the affection of additional men....But that had all changed. I didn't have a boyfriend, a perfect figure, or alcohol-induced outrageousness to fall back on.
Summary
This quote highlights the speaker's realization of the source of their anxiety while going out in New York. They attribute their previous lack of anxiety to having a partner, which provided a sense of safety and relieved the pressure to impress. This protection allowed them to freely enjoy social interactions and receive attention from other suitors. However, now being single and lacking certain attributes, such as a perfect figure or the audacity induced by alcohol, the speaker feels vulnerable and anxious about their ability to attract attention and navigate social situations.
Topics
Life
By Emily Giffin