Everything will be okay. by Kaylee

Everything will be okay. by Kaylee - September 2022 Scholarship Essay

Growing up with severe anxiety and perfectionism can pose great struggles on simple day to day tasks. Getting through a full day without feeling like you are failing is a huge concern that I face day to day. Thoughts constantly flow through your head. "Am I not good enough?", "Why do I feel the way I do?", or even "When does this get better?" As I have grown older and progressed through my life, these thoughts have settled down. I have learned that the suffering that you are experiencing in the moment is not forever. I have received plenty of pieces of advice but the one piece that I could give to my past self is everything will be okay and to keep pushing. This piece of advice has fueled me to work hard in all parts of my life. Whether it is entering a new school and being the little fish in a big sea, navigating my way through academics and sports or even just mentally helping myself, this advice allows me to be the best version of myself as possible. I was a gymnast for thirteen years of my life. Being a gymnast has taught me many important and useful skills like dedication, discipline and determination. However, every little mistake costs you big time in gymnastics so it has taught me to be a perfectionist. Perfectionism is a blessing and also a curse. When I would make a mistake or fail, I would feel like my world was ending. I would feel so defeated. At the time, being a little seven year old, I was under so much pressure to be the best person I could be. Looking back, I wish I could have told myself that everything will be okay. Life moves on despite you not pointing your toes, or falling off the beam. My little seven year old self had an entire future ahead of her. Gymnastics has taught me a lot and I am glad I had the experience because without it, I wouldn't be the person that I am today. Everything will be okay and IS okay.