In “Waste”, Kayla explores the theme of wasted potential through the metaphor of decay by likening her personal feelings of failure to the process of rotting food. By doing this, Kayla confronts the inevitability of loss when opportunities are neglected. This concept draws from Kayla’s internalized expectations of achievement based on early promise.

“Waste” depicts rotted food as an emblem of squandered talent and opportunity. Through its imagery, the work visualizes Kayla’s sense of disenchantment while simultaneously critiquing societal pressures to constantly produce and achieve.