We exist within a perpetual state of flux, constantly adapting our direction, emotions, and principles to align with our surroundings. Our thoughts and actions are influenced and impacted by media, advertising, bustling streets, and traffic. Auditory and visual stimuli prompt us to respond, listen, try, and buy, all under a sense of urgency, fearing that inactivity will result in missing out. In the blink of an eye, a day has passed, while the week seems to simultaneously drag on and speed by. We find ourselves at the end of a year, yet still vividly recalling the previous one as if it were only a month ago. We persist through the currents of time, seemingly disregarding all else. Ensnared in a whirlwind of activity, our lives are dictated by the daily unfolding of events, most of which are not relevant to our lives.

The toll of urban life can be significant. I have experienced burnout and a negative state of mind, yearning to alter the course of my life but unsure of where to begin. I soon realised that to initiate change, I had to first pause, and this realisation was quite daunting. The fear of abandoning the relentless pursuit of success and embarking on a quest for something more fulfilling immobilized me for a considerable period. Then one day, I found myself in a state of preparedness, the world as I knew it began to shift and change around me. My fears began to dissipate, leading me to the profound realisation that it was solely my inhibitions and fears that held me back from pursuing the life I long desired. The cacophony of noise and external influences was merely a distraction, diverting me from moving into the new state of mind that was patiently waiting for me.

The New York scene has been transformed into a monochromatic palette, apart from the taxi which remains in vibrant yellow, serving as a symbol of urban vitality amidst the dynamic composition. Selective application and removal of blur filters in strategic areas of the image have been employed to convey a human presence. Additionally, the overall image has been enhanced with paper and parchment textures, symbolically bridging the gap between past and present, and facilitating a harmonious fusion of these two realms. This artistic approach reflects the duality of our mental states that we frequently traverse.