Though in many ways, each year - each moment of our lives, really - has a profound impact on who we are, there is always that essential aspect of ourselves that never changes. For example, we may have the inclination to be as kind as possible to others, or to have an overall optimistic outlook. Personally, I know that I have become more competitive over the past few years in high school. It's almost inevitable when the importance of scores, grades, and whatnot gets drilled into your head. As a result, I developed the tendency to doubt myself, for fear of messing up, and to constantly compare my abilities to the abilities of others. As my mom recently told me, I used to be spunkier and much more sure of my self. No, I haven't lost sight of who I am. I'm perpetually changing, just as everyone around me is, affected by the experiences, extraordinary and mundane, that shape who I am. However, I need to trust myself more, especially as I make the transition to adulthood. Though I've matured, I've lost confidence. However, the non-material things that make me who I am, such as my passion for writing, will never vanish. Beneath the trials and tribulations of a teenage girl about to embark on an adventurous new stage of life, there exists an open mind, as well as a strong heart and an indelible soul. Ultimately, I know who I am, and I have to make an effort to embrace that essential, precious "me"-ness and not suppress it.
