I was thinking about this metaphor I have going, this metaphor of escape. We aren’t all escaping academia, but I think we can all benefit from escaping the ivory tower, that collection of myths about academia that does so much damage to so many of us. Entering higher education with clear eyes is one thing. Entering it and staying in it because of a story that never holds up is quite another.

But how would I describe the lot of us, this motley collection of people who are escaping different parts, creating different lives, all with academia as one touchstone among others. And then it came to me: We’re escape artists.

Figuring out how to craft a life that is meaningful and sustainable and enjoyable is, in fact, a creative act. We often approach it as something to figure out, something we need to think our way through. But while we all bring our prodigious brains to the project, we’re also bringing our boundless creativity, those parts of us that show up at unexpected times saying, “what if?”

And when we’re in the depths of anger and despair and pain and confusion of the process, “what if?” is a liberating and optimistic place to be.

So I just want to take a minute to honor all of the creativity and passion and curiosity and brilliance you all bring to the question of how to craft your own individual lives. Getting to be in conversation with you is inspiring, indeed.