In the quote from Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," the speaker reflects on a time when they felt limitless potential and freedom. This reminiscence highlights a sense of nostalgia for a past when possibilities seemed endless, and life lacked constraints, allowing for constant reinvention. The idea of being unbound by external factors evokes a simpler perspective on living, where aspirations could easily be pursued without hesitation.

However, this reflection starkly contrasts with the realities faced in the narrative of "The Handmaid's Tale." The theme of lost freedoms is prevalent, as the characters navigate a world filled with restrictions and harsh realities. The quote encapsulates the tension between the desire for autonomy and the boundaries imposed by society, prompting readers to consider the nature of freedom and the impact of societal structures on individual agency.