Growing Up: Not as Easy as it Sounds

Caitlyn Bogan

38 West Main Street

Chester, CT 06412

[email protected]

1 June 2019

Growing Up: Not as Easy as it Sounds

There’s no way of knowing when it’s going to happen before it does. I still remember that November day with the crisp air blowing in my face as leaves swarmed around me. The last cross country race of my last year of middle school. About half-way through the windy and chilly trail buried deep into the woods, I could see in the distance my teammate crying in pain.

With all my energy left, I sprinted ahead. She had clearly torn her hamstring, and there were no adults around to help. From that moment on, I realized that I’d gotten to the point in time where I’d have to take action by myself.

With growing up, it’s not just about gaining freedoms, but the heavily weighed responsibilities and obstacles which follow this time period. In my younger, less developed childhood I was always quiet and too scared to stand up for myself. After a few years of understanding my role in this world, I now lead in several student clubs, councils and sports.

It took time, but I eventually took on my role which I had been given. After heartbreaks, disappointments and failures I realized that I’m going to have to fight for what I believe in.

There are always going to be obstacles, rude people and setbacks, but that is not any reason to slow yourself down from unleashing full potential. Not until I started to understand this on a deeper level, was I finally able to bloom into the person I am today.

Sometimes you have to bite your tongue. Sometimes you have to ignore the negative words of envious others. Sometimes you have to be patient and respectful even if you feel like you’re going to explode. But you always need to believe in yourself, whether others do or not.