Elevation in Personal Development through Experience by Yuleisy

Elevation in Personal Development through Experience by Yuleisy - December 2022 Scholarship Essay

As I strolled through my 19th year of life I reflected on how this is my last year as a teenager. Everybody has different perspectives on what the prime time of their life consists of. Some see their high school days as their golden years or stepping into their dorm as the highlight of their young adulthood through a new surge of independence. Arguably I know that without a doubt being a teenager is that sweet spot in life right before any real commitment to adulthood and that my years being a teenager is almost certain to take up that spot in my mind as the era of true fulfillment. I have lived my life without restrictions, goals, or hopes for the future and while this was questioned and criticized by others it was never truly worrying. That's just what kids do. They act recklessly, they break rules, they rebel against authority and it's all okay until it's not of course. My behavior in my reckless years of prior youth all came to bite me as I have grown older and moved on to college. Old habits die hard. The persona and reputation I have built off of the disobedient unmanageable younger self haven't served me well as I pursue my college degree. This is why my goal for 2023 is to rewire myself into someone reliable, stick to deadlines focus on priorities, follow rules, and understands that they are put in place for a reason.
Although my behavior was never at the forefront of my thoughts and worries, the issue became a priority for me as this year progressed. There were always situations in which the way I acted and my character proved to be flawed. In the spring semester of my studies at the beginning of the year, I got in trouble for the first time with my university and went through the conduct of students. This happened again and I was almost suspended from my housing assignment which opened my eyes to the reality of how my actions could affect my future. I then began to question whether I wanted to put into jeopardy my student and residential status at my university. Another issue I've had is that I am always late, whether that be to meet friends, to class, or to interviews. Things that are casual or held importance, they all didn't hold importance to me, or at least that's what I projected as I went on to waste people's time and not value it. I had to ask myself another question and that was if I wanted to continue with my life being viewed as someone irresponsible and inconsiderate. These questions were rhetorical and so began my deep dive and reflection into the actions that shape who I am today.
Another major eye-opener for me was attending my yoga class. Amid all the chaos that was ensuing in my life, I heard my instructor discuss the exact issue I held at the time and it was the final straw for me. She was talking about the solar plexus that day which is the third chakra or an energy center in the spiritual body. This specific chakra is responsible for our willpower, inner strength, transformation, self-esteem, and the way we view ourselves and what we project out into the world. Our journal entry for the day was about what we put out into the world, how the world perceives us, and what we need to change to be perceived the way we want. It was then that I realized that although my actions were not bothering me until I began to see significant consequences they were ruining others' perceptions of me. You should prioritize your thoughts about yourself and it is the general rule of thumb to ignore what everybody else says but there is always a limit to every rule. I would know that since I always seem to break them. Nevertheless, if there are negative convictions made of you from a consensus of people and it is based on actions you are truly responsible for you should try to change them. Ever since that day and after all the repetitive themes in my life that have shown me I need to make a change I have had a different outlook. I no longer want to disappoint others or ruin opportunities for myself or waste people's time. This is why my resolution for the new year is all about molding myself into a righteous student, friend, and person.
I am grateful for all that I have experienced in 2022 and I welcome every single year of my life with change and growth for myself. Nobody is perfect but it's important to develop yourself into someone better whether that be every year or every day. With the lessons that I have come to terms with, I can say that 2023 will be a brand new chapter for me filled with room for me to put myself out into the world as someone respectable and disciplined. Although maturity comes with age I think it rather comes with experiences and I am glad for all that has happened for me this year leading me to have a new perspective. I welcome my 20s and the rest of my life knowing that I will continue to build myself up.