The journey one takes in life may differ from the journey of another, ultimately guided by one’s personal views although that is not what today’s society insists. The path in which an individual chooses to take eventually defines who they are. Many times society tries to conform and change people to fit societies perception of how an individual should be. 

“The Journey,” written by Mary Oliver, begins by indirectly stating the idea that an individual can and should 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. Oliver introduces the idea that people start to lose their ability to make their own choices. She presents this topic to the reader to express that the ability for someone to listen to their own conscious is slowly being destroyed. This ability is being replaced with the idea that they must conform their 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. Oliver states, “though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice” (Lines 3-5), to warn the reader of this constant negativity that will be placed upon them. More often than not people conform to the ideas society sets in 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.”

Struggling to find your true self is often more difficult than one would depict. Individuals oftentimes let others influence their desires and stop them from fulfilling their dreams. This will continue to happen unless one acts upon the issue. The individual must keep moving forward and move past the negativity and hardships. They must 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. This will occur until one breaks free from all of the negative feedback and helplessness society places upon them. If they do not escape this negativity they will not soar, nor will they 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, 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 stars mentioned represent the realization one encounters when the individual finally breaks free of the social norm. The stars finally begin to burn once this 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” perhaps. 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 upon you. Your own voice is the only voice that will ultimately save you. 
