The rejections, waitlists, and deferrals put me back in the shoes of the little girl who felt like every argument between her parents resulted from her failure to communicate.
Today, I still struggle with anxiety and I may have it for the rest of my life. But I decided to use it as a strength. That anxiety pushed me to seek help at my breaking point and led me to see the beauty that is in advocating for yourself. My healing was through meditation and centering myself in the present moment. So, now I know it's okay not to be okay.
COVID-19 stole many anticipated moments from my youth, including the beginning of my college career. Forced into virtual learning and isolation, I had to adapt, become self-disciplined, and form meaningful relationships. While the pandemic took away precious memories, it also presented opportunities for personal growth and resilience.
