A fun fact about me: I have had the same coffee order at Dunkin’ for the past three years. Same flavor, same amount of sugar and cream, and the same shot of vanilla. Only thing that changed was the size depending on how my paycheck was looking for that week. Why change something that does not need to be changed? I found no reason to try new flavors because I was comfortable with my own—I knew every time I ordered it, I would be satisfied. But that is just it—I was comfortable.
“Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.” Brian Tracy
One morning, I went to Dunkin’ to get my typical coffee, and to much disappointment, they were out of my flavor. I was forced to get something different, and let me tell you, it was probably one of the best drinks I have ever had. It goes to show that there are plenty of other aspects of life that you will not experience unless you accommodate yourself to change.
You might be wondering, “Leah, why are you ranting about your love for coffee?” Well, for starters, I love coffee, and second, I am using it as an example to show that change never came easy to me. Once I love something, it is hard to choose a different path. If you were to look at me last year at this time, every day was the same:
Wake up, go to school, hang with friends, go to work, got to bed, and repeat.
Change was nonexistent in my life, and I never sought out for it. I cannot pick out a certain day or reasoning where something clicked inside, but I finally just started doing things I normally would not do. I started going to places by myself and valuing my personal time, started trying new foods, listened to new genres of music, hung out with a different group of people, and etc. I think I just got tired of being serene; I wanted to find myself and I could not have grown without some sort of leap in the opposite direction in which I started in. Start off small, maybe with a coffee or food order, and you might find yourself surprised with what you are missing out on.
The #1 question I have been asked this summer:
“Are you ready for college?”
Then the follow-up question:
“Are you excited? Nervous?”
I never really thought about the answer. Just like how if someone asks you, “How are you,” it is basically programmed in you to say, “I am good, how about you?” It is the same concept with replying to the big college question. I usually replied, “Yes, I am ready to get out of this place,” in a jokingly matter. Slowly but surely, the days crept up on me and what started this summer with two months before move-in day, became one day until move-in day, and my answer to everyone’s question has changed.
I have lived in Downriver (a part of Michigan) my entire life. I have never moved houses, I have a handful of long-term friendships with people I met when I was a little girl, I went to the same school from 1st-8th grade, I have attended the same church, and etc. Long story short, I never had to face a big change unless you count attending a different high school than my elementary friends. Even then, I still had a few people I knew who were attending with me. Change was not common, but it was bound to occur.
I have been watching dorm move-in vlogs on YouTube, creating Pinterest boards for ideas of décor for my room, and have been considering what I wish to study in since I hit middle school. Here I am today with boxes in my room stacked to the practical ceiling with my things, my class schedule on my phone, and two amazing roommates I converse with every day. It is so surreal.
Am I ready for college?
Yes...to an extent. I am ready to start new and be in a different environment. Do not get me wrong, my community now is absolutely beautiful, and I am beyond blessed, but at a certain point, you are just eager to welcome in the unfamiliarity. Somethings will not alter— I will still be stressed over exams, calling my mom about the tiniest inconveniences, and drinking the same coffee, of course. The reason I say, to an extent, is because I will never be fully ready to say goodbye, or at least, “see you later”, to my family and friends. They challenge me, they accept me, they stand by me. I truly would not be the girl I am today without the help of those around me. Sure, personal development and whatnot, but you are who you hang around, too. I know wherever I go, I can always turn to these beautiful people, but now I am at a slight disadvantage being unable to just drive ten minutes to my friend’s house or walk downstairs to my mom and grandma. Nothing can ever prepare you for that change.
Am I excited? Nervous?
Without a doubt…to both questions. If you ask any eighteen-year-old if they are nervous to live by themselves and they say “no,” they have to not be telling you the full truth. Trust me, I have been exhilarated about the day I move out for the longest time because of the freedom that follows. That is, until I went shopping for my dorm and did not realize that along with the cute plants and picture frames, I would also have to purchase dish soap and toilet cleansing brushes. Living on your own is a lot of responsibility, and yes, it is exciting, but I would be lying if I did not say I was a tad nervous. Like I said previously, I am excited to experience new aspects of life and grow into a more independent person. I am excited to meet new people and learn more about veterinary practice. I am excited for this change.
Change is inevitable. Whether you welcome it or not, it has a way of sneaking up on people, and it is up to you on how you react. Do not be scared of what you do not know, be grateful you have the opportunity to experience and flourish from it. Life becomes even more magical when you decide to contradict your daily routine. I have mentioned this quote in a previous post, and I am sure I will mention it again in the future, but it is too recurrent in my life not to repeat.
"God will never give you something He knew you could not handle."
If God places it in your hands, you are able to achieve it. No matter how much doubt and uncertainty fills you, there is a purpose. Even if it does not go as planned, you need to go through it in order to grow. I used to dread change; I hid from it, but the minute I opened my mindset on the importance of personal development by going through wearisome occurrences, I truly began to see change as a blessing in disguise.