I keep looking back. Danny says this is a waste of time, but it’s one of my best strategies for gathering courage: how did I get here? Is this moment part of a steady, encouraging, forward movement, or are things falling apart? Have I been lost before? Is that, too, part of the process?

When I get the sharp stab of envy I know I am off course, either on the wrong track entirely or not working for the life I want.