On Being Charlotte: Recurring Fears and Pep Talks

It’s New Year’s Eve and I’m curled up with Oliver and a glass of red, watching Pride and Prejudice. By all accounts, it’s a cozy and lovely way to spend the evening, especially as an introvert who isn’t entirely ready to go back to peopling in a couple of days.

But Charlotte just invoked Lizzy not to judge her over her choice to marry Mr. Collins and I’m reminded of questions that plague me more often than I care to admit. What if I want too much? What if I’m supposed to settle? What if, for...