Usually have any rhyme or reason, but I was honestly baffled by this one. I could not figure out why looking at the picture of myself on my work badge was making me question my existence and purpose in life. I had not really figured it out until now. 

I looked at my picture that was taken in December and found that the face looking back at me looked much like my own, but somehow I felt that in all the important ways, it did not feel like myself. 

It was not until about 20 minutes ago that I finally realized why I seem so different from December. That month I was absolutely ecstatic to start the job that I had wanted since I was 13. 

Now I struggle to find hope when I look at our local legislators. 

Spending more time at The Capitol than I do at home has taught me the importance of a work-life balance, especially if your work is centered around law-making. 

Political activism and the legislative process, in general, is something that I have always been interested and passionate about, but these past few months have shown me that I need to learn how to balance these passions correctly. 

Spending so much time watching debates, reading about legislation and interacting with representatives I have found that I no longer get excited to listen to debate, I do not read each bill that goes through the chamber and when I walk through the doors of the house chamber, it almost seems like a burden. 

In a way, I think that I have done a lot of growing up at The Capitol. Adults always say that growing up makes you jaded, and that is the only word I can think of that describes what I am feeling lately. 

I think this has been an important lesson for me, and for other people that are passionate about things that can oftentimes be unrewarding. 

I need to learn how to keep my passion for politics while also realizing that taking legislation too personally can be harmful to my well-being.