Object in Motion - By Fatima Barakat

Written By: Fatima Barakat

Category: Essay

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In her compelling essay "Object in Motion," Fatima Barakat delves into the subtle intricacies of change and self-discovery. Featured in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, this essay explores how change often occurs quietly, transforming us without warning. Fatima's insightful reflections offer a nuanced perspective on how life's experiences shape who we become, challenging the notion of consistency and inviting readers to embrace the beauty of transformation.

About the Work

"Object in Motion" by Fatima Barakat thoughtfully examines the quiet, continuous nature of change. Her essay encourages readers to reconsider the idea that change must be dramatic, highlighting instead the gradual shifts that redefine our beliefs and relationships. With introspective prose, she explores themes of growth, acceptance, and the courage to embrace new perspectives, all while weaving a narrative that is both relatable and profound.

Object in Motion

Original Submission by Fatima Barakat

Object in Motion

We talk about change as if it is something that arrives with a warning. We expect it to look obvious: a new school, a different city, a friendship ending, a door closing behind us. We imagine change as a dramatic moment when everything becomes different at once. But most of the time, change is much quieter than that. It happens while we are busy living, so gradually that we do not notice it until we look back and realize we would not make the same choices, believe the same things, or even recognize ourselves in quite the same way.

I have changed my mind about many things. I have changed my opinions, my priorities, my friendships, my ambitions, and the way I see myself. There are things I once swore I would never do that I now understand. There are people I once thought would be in my life forever who became chapters instead. There are dreams I used to hold tightly that no longer feel like mine, and new ones that I never imagined wanting. For a long time, I thought this meant I was indecisive. Now I think it means I was paying attention.

We are taught to be consistent, as though changing your mind is a weakness. We admire people who know exactly who they are and never seem to question themselves. But how can anyone remain exactly the same while their experiences keep changing them? Every conversation, disappointment, success, friendship, failure, and new discovery leaves something behind. Sometimes it changes what we believe. Sometimes it changes what we want. Sometimes it simply changes what we are willing to tolerate.

Even the people around us change. The friend who once knew every detail of your day may become someone you only greet in passing. The person you never expected to become close to might end up knowing you better than anyone. Some relationships survive change by growing with you, while others disappear because the people inside them are no longer moving in the same direction. There is sadness in that, but there is also something strangely beautiful about realizing that not every person is meant to accompany you through every version of your life.

Change can be uncomfortable because it asks us to let go of certainty. It is much easier to stay attached to an old version of yourself simply because it is familiar. We sometimes defend opinions we no longer believe, remain in situations that no longer suit us, or chase dreams we have already outgrown because admitting that we have changed feels like admitting that we were wrong.

But changing does not always mean that the person you were was wrong. Sometimes they simply knew less than you do now.

The child who once dreamed of becoming one thing was not foolish for dreaming it. The younger version of you who trusted the wrong person was not stupid for trusting. The person who once feared something may have simply needed more time to understand it. We should not be embarrassed by the versions of ourselves that came before. They were working with what they knew, and every version of us is responsible for helping the next one grow.

Maybe that is why change is such an essential part of being human. We are not finished products. We are constantly being revised by the lives we live. Some changes are chosen; others are forced upon us. Some feel like losses, while others feel like freedom. Some take years to understand. But every one of them leaves us with something that the person we were before did not have: perspective.

I do not want to become someone who is afraid to change just because I once promised I would stay the same. I want to be able to outgrow my opinions without feeling ashamed, to change direction without calling it failure, and to meet new versions of myself without wishing the old ones had never existed.

Because growing up is not about becoming a completely different person. It is about collecting experiences, questioning what you once believed, discovering what still matters, and having the courage to admit when something no longer does. Change is not proof that we are inconsistent. It is proof that we are alive.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar celebrates the art of storytelling and poetic expression. It invites participants from around the world to share their unique voices and literary creations. This esteemed event provides a platform for writers to explore diverse themes, offering a space where creativity and imagination can flourish.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Fatima Barakat for her insightful contribution to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her essay, "Object in Motion," offers a meaningful exploration of change and self-discovery, reminding us of the beauty in life's subtle transformations. We appreciate her participation and look forward to seeing how her reflections continue to inspire others.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.