Respectfully, Get Over Yourself by Brooklyn

Respectfully, Get Over Yourself by Brooklyn - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

I had waited about 22 minutes (or a hundred-billion-years, in my 8-year-old mind) in the Texas sun, hiding in my dad’s shadow, attempting to use it as shade (or maybe as a human shield). As we inched past the cardboard cutouts of orcas directing me to my doom, I felt anxiety building in my chest, as if the metal bars were already pressed against my rapidly beating heart. And finally, my time had come. We had reached the front of the line, and it was our turn to take a seat on The Great White Roller Coaster, Sea World, San Antonio.
The fight or flight kicked at my ribs, and I considered, on the verge of tears, telling my dad I wanted to back out. Or at the very least, jump into the nearest fish tank and swim away.
But, in the back of my mind, I heard a voice viciously yell “GET OVER YOURSELF,” and then, it continued in the much more politely mannered words of everyone's favorite shoe brand, “Just do it.”
Okay, I didn’t hear those words. But reflecting on this memory 9 years later, I imagine whatever bizarre thought convinced me to ride the coaster was something along those lines. And, if I had a chance to go and talk to myself at that moment (or countless others), that’s what I would say.
One year later, my best friend moved away, and I had no one to sit with in the cafeteria. For a while, I sat by myself because the thought of going to a new group of girls I barely knew and asking to sit with them-it terrified me. I felt my face burn red and the notches in my spine shrank together simply considering it. But eventually, I had to get over myself and do it anyways.
Three years after that, I got my first big role in a Ballet- a Stepsister in my studio’s production of Cinderella. I can vividly remember my quick, loud, breathing backstage, anticipating the shining stage lights that I’d soon be facing, that somehow wouldn’t be enough to blind me from the faces watching me in the audience. But I got over myself-the show must go on.
In another 3 years, after popping my kneecap out of its socket (twice, don’t ask me how), knee surgery, 10 months of being kept out of physical activity, I returned to my lifelong passion for dance; with a major setback, unsure if I could catch up to my friend’s technique, if I could get back to my past level of talent. But after battling these thoughts, I forced myself to get over my doubts, and work hard to overcome the challenges I faced.
Because, truthfully, the challenges I faced were nothing I couldn’t handle. I had no need to be intimidated- unfortunately, that’s only something I can see with hindsight. I sat at new tables, made new friends, and have stuck with many of them all through high school. I went on stage, did my best, and could only reflect on my performance with pride. It took persistence and determination, but I returned to being a wonderful ballerina despite any injuries that could’ve held me back for good.
The only thing that had ever held me back was myself, the doubt or fear I may have had over my own ability. But the only thing that fear or doubt has cost me was wasted time worrying.
I know better now. When I face tasks in my future that make me nervous, from things as ambitious as the dreams I have for my career, or things as simple as pouring my insecurities and deep thoughts into a scholarship essay that could easily be discarded, I know that doubting my own ability will get me nowhere. I need to get over myself and just do it, and trust in my own abilities and confidence that I am good enough for any task life presents me with.
How much have I missed in my life because I spent time worrying about an upcoming event? When 8-year-old me got over herself and went on The Great White, she had the time of her life. If there was one thing I could go back and tell her, it would easily be, get over yourself and just do it- don’t spend the meantime worrying, there’s nothing you can’t face, there’s nothing to be afraid of.