My Thalassophobia

Growing up with thalassophobia, I always let it define who I was. It was never the body of water that scared me,
but the thought of not knowing what was underneath it. After years of this phobia, my family invited me to a scuba
diving trip. I decided to give it a try since I wanted to stop letting my phobia control so much of my life. On this trip,
I was able to go into deep waters and conquer my lifelong fear. This artwork depicts the many insecurities that have
confined me for so long, but not anymore. The sea monsters represent my fears and insecurities -- things I cannot control,
such as my future. However, as I test out the waters, an orb of light shines through. As I confide in the body of water, these
monsters disappear. I found my new solace with this body of water with my fiery passion for exploring the abyss.
The balloon is my comfort zone, trying to lift me up and away from the water, but I combat its forces with courage
and hope. As I grow up, this is the new Identity that I resonate with.