The journey one takes in life may differ from the journey of another. The path in which an individual chooses to take ultimately defines who they are. Individuals will choose to take different journeys in life based on their personal views, even if that isn’t what today’s society insists. Many times society tries to conform and change people to fit their perception of how an individual should be. 

“The Journey,” written by Mary Oliver, begins by indirectly stating the idea that an individual can listen to their own views and conscious. The only way to find one’s true self is to follow the path they choose to take in life. I personally believe that it is important to follow the direct path you intentionally choose, for the fear that if you stray from your path you might end up losing yourself. Oliver introduces the idea that people start to lose their ability to make their own choices. Someone’s ability to listen to their own conscious is slowly being destroyed and replaced with the idea that you must conform your views based on what society believes. Society often pushes people too hard, forcing them to be something they ultimately are not. Many times people know what they must do in life to succeed, but others constantly criticize their beliefs telling them they will not be successful if they follow the path they are wishing to pursue. “Though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice” (Lines 3-5). More often than not people conform to the ideas society place for them. Mary Oliver’s, “The Journey,” unfolds the idea of one breaking free from the idea of one conforming to society to “fit in.”

Oliver wrote this poem in a way she could purposefully connect with the audience. Struggling to find your true self is often more difficult than one would depict. Individuals cannot let others influence their desires and stop them from fulfilling their dreams. The individual has to keep moving forward. They need to pull away from society and follow the direction that will eventually lead them to the journey that they paved for themselves. 

Individuals have to step away from the world where society depicts every aspect of their lives. The voices of society will get into the minds of humans and stop them from pursing their dreams. “Mend my life! each voice cried” (Lines 10-11). As with any society, there are always people asking for help, wanting you to change your journey to help them pursue theirs. People are always in need of assistance, but individuals cannot stop their own journey to help someone else pursue their journey. Until one breaks free from all of the negative feedback and helplessness society brings upon them, they will not soar, nor succeed. One will only succeed when they make the leap into the world where they can focus on themselves, rather than on the views of society surrounding them. Living in a world where people live a life led by their own voice is the only way they will survive on this harsh Earth. All in all, in a world where society speaks for everyone, you must speak for yourself.  If people do not speak for themselves, they tend to feel lost in the large society because they feel as if they cannot act like their true self. The individual will lose understanding of their heart. 

 Once individuals escape from the hardships they encounter, breaking through the barrier of society, “little by little” they will let go of their past and move forward on a more direct path in their journey (Line 22). One will finally get to the point, if they are determined enough, to where they will no longer listen to the voices of society. Instead, they will listen to their own voice and that is when they become successful. “As you left their voices behind, the stars began to burn through the sheets of clouds, and there was a new voice, which you slowly recognized as your own” (Lines 23-28). The realization one encounters when they finally break free from being so conformed to society is represented by the stars. The stars finally begin to burn once this next step is reached. You are no longer conformed to the views of society, but the views of your own conscious. Individuals will finally recognize the voice that has constantly pushed them and continuously guided them through their long journey. The voice that guided the individual is their own conscious to which they had never paid attention to beforehand. The voice is the voice of their heart, pushing them, forcing them, to be everything they could be with nothing standing in their way. This voice is the voice that has saved the lives of many. The voice that changed the world, and it belongs to them. 

Life is an ongoing journey that all people must pursue. One does not have to conform to society in order to “fit in” per say. Instead, one must break free from this idea that society owns and controls ones inner conscious. Being successful in life does not happen by conforming to the outside views of society. The struggle you face trying to find yourself is very difficult at times. One will never live a happy life if they are constantly listening to the negative voices enclosing them. These negative voices will tear one down, making a person think they can never succeed in life. Listening to your own voice is the only way to push through and fulfill your overall dream. Your voice is the only voice that will not tear down your overall happiness. Your own voice will not try to control you, but will push you to forget the negativity others place on you. Your own voice is the only voice that will ultimately save you. 
