The Ridges Were Clear. My Mind Wasn't

I stared at the new images from Curiosity—boxwork ridges, neat and mysterious, like the planet was trying to tell us something in a language I’d never learn. I spent hours tracing their lines, hoping the patterns would click, that I’d see what everyone else seemed to see. But all I felt was the weight of not knowing. Another late night, another round of analysis that just led to more questions. My advisor said, "That's science," but it sounded like a warning. I watched the data pile up, each layer another reminder that Mars keeps its secrets, and maybe I’m not clever enough to crack them. I used to think discovery would feel like victory. Now it just feels like exhaustion with a different name. #ScienceFatigue #ImposterInTheRoom #GradSchoolLife #Science