Quote by Jenny Zhang: “Sometimes the only way to save a life is to abandon it.”

This paradoxical statement suggests that letting go of a current situation, identity, or path, no matter how difficult, can sometimes be the only way to truly preserve oneself or find a better future. It speaks to the courage of radical change.

The mid-2010s was a period of increasing digital connectivity and self-exploration, particularly for young adults navigating identity and future paths. Online platforms like Rookie magazine provided spaces for candid discussions on personal struggles and growth.

Chinese-American poet and fiction writer whose debut story collection Sour Heart won the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction in 2018. Her work explores the immigrant experience, childhood, and the complexity of family across class and culture.