scientist's workspace reveals her confrontational anxieties

scientist tictactoe challenge fear failure white coat desk trepidation unresolved trepid plump purity problem game metaphor representation research dilemma thought loom riddle confrontation worry distance sanctity dominate shadow burden anxiety engage reflection irony workspace adult woman reveal ward symbolic unfold grapple mirror daunting palpable emotion ripple solution quandary overwhelm struggle scientist's reveals confrontational anxieties wary tic-tac-toe puzzle represents unsolved problems she's cautious challenges insurmountable showing experts fears