What I Learned From Having an Overprotective Parent by Jessica

What I Learned From Having an Overprotective Parent by Jessica - May 2022 Scholarship Essay

There has always been someone next to me. That person has kept me away from any potential danger and has done everything they could to keep me safe. However, as I grew older, I realized I missed out on many experiences because I was being overprotected. I felt like I was trapped, and every part of my life was being controlled by someone else. My life was not my own. Someone else was in charge of my life, and I became scared of being independent. That “someone” was my mom. Because of the constant feeling of being trapped, I began to believe that I did not have what it takes to take control over my life and make my own decisions. What I needed was to grow on my own. I didn't have the same experiences as many of my peers did. I spent most of my time in my room, isolated, away from my friends, and away from the experiences that I was supposed to have. I did not have the chance to explore the world on my own, inevitably causing me to become scared to try new things. The lack of independent experiences made my journey filled with worries. I felt like my life continuously kept overflowing with anxiety, insecurities, and fear. I had a lack of self-confidence, causing me to further isolate myself from others. I felt left out, alone, and I didn't know if one day I would have the courage to voice my opinions and express my thoughts without worrying about what everyone thought of my actions. I was aware that my mom’s intentions were not to hurt me. She was only trying to keep me safe. She simply failed to realize how her actions have hurt me in ways that have completely affected who I am, and how I interact with everyone else. Although I did not have the chance to explore the real world, my growth came from the internet.
Real-world experiences did not become a part of my personal growth, but social media undoubtedly did. I spent most of my time by myself, and my phone was something I always had with me. Using social media platforms allowed me to see the world from a different perspective. A lot of the time I spent alone, I spent online, and it helped me improve myself by connecting with other people who were going through situations similar to mine. I found that there were many people who had the same feelings I was having. It reassured me that my feelings were valid and that I wasn’t illogical for having them. Finding these types of safe spaces online helped me in my journey of becoming my own person, and becoming a more confident version of myself one step at a time. I found communities that made me feel empowered and taught me how to start my path towards self-acceptance, and self-love. Being persistent tremendously helped me achieve my goals.
I learned the importance of having support from a community. College is a place where you are surrounded by people who have different opinions, backgrounds, and perspectives. This knowledge allows us to learn from each other and be more aware of how our words can affect others. I plan on continuing to practice self-improvement by trying to be more inclusive, and I plan on using the things I learn in college to benefit my community. Online, I found communities that greatly improved my self-esteem and made me feel free, and I want other people to be able to experience this. Starting college will allow me to further continue working on being a more independent, confident, and happier person. As I move on to the next chapter in my life, I hope to spread my message of inclusivity to as many people as I can, and I am confident that we can learn a lot from each other simply by listening.