Scrapbook of Adolescences

A scrapbook of adolescence. Audrey Goff on transitioning to adulthood. 

Audrey turned eighteen in September, at a time where the typical traditions of transitioning into adulthood are cut off almost entirely

Since the pandemic hit, Audrey lived entirely at her mom’s, while beforehand time at her parent’s house was split equally. Her mother and her father’s parenting styles contrast drastically. With her mom, she felt like she had a support system to make mistakes before fully becoming self sufficient. 

“My mom and I have been talking about it lately, how she parents really differently from my dad. He holds me really tight until it’s time to let go, and my mom eased me into independence. It’s like having training wheels before actually going into adulthood”

The change in age number, Audrey says, isn’t the change she’s noticed. It’s how she’s treated.

“I’ve always hated feeling older than I am and having adults treat you like you're young. It’s nice to feel respected.”

Audrey struggles with depression. Although treated, her self image is fractured, memories of her childhood incomplete. 

“It's hard for me to look at my life as time changing because I only remember more recent stuff. I’ve felt like the same person in my head from what I can remember, but I know that there are all these different Mes in there somewhere that I don’t. All these different layers that are packed up, and some of them are like boxes in the attic. 

“It does feel like I’m missing out sometimes, like everyone else has these full scrapbooks in their head of their life.” 

To fill her own scrapbook of memories, Audrey captures moments on camera through both photography and film.

“I get really freaked out sometimes that if I don’t document what I’m doing right now, I’m going to keep forgetting it. I don’t want to get past the best years and not remember them.”