As I reflect on my childhood, I remember having big dreams and aspirations as a young girl. I held onto unrealistic dreams, like imagining myself as a princess, and also envisioned a life of sophistication and wealth as a black woman. I longed for a future without struggles, hoping for a life where everything would fall into place effortlessly. However, the reality of my upbringing was vastly different. I grew up in a single-income household, where my mother faced numerous challenges as the sole provider. Financial struggles were a constant part of our lives, and I witnessed my mother's unwavering determination to ensure that our bills were paid and we had enough to eat. Despite her own hardships, she made sure that I never went without. Living in predominantly low-income neighborhoods exposed me to street violence, homelessness, and other issues that my mother tried to shield me from. She worked tirelessly to keep me on the right path, and I feel fortunate to have had a mother who always made things happen, even in the face of adversity. This upbringing has molded me into a resilient, intelligent, and empathetic young woman. I have a deep passion for helping young people discover their true identities and connect with their roots. Inner peace and self-discovery are values that I hold dear, and I am committed to breaking generational cycles and empowering others. It took me a while to cultivate this mindset, as I often found myself feeling disillusioned and yearning for a perfect life. However, I came to the realization that perfection is an illusion and that imperfections exist in every aspect of life. I also began to contemplate my future career path and knew that I wanted to pursue a degree in psychology. My desire to become a therapist for adolescents stems from my innate ability to listen to and support my friends. I aspire to offer hope and mentorship, helping others overcome their insecurities without fear of judgment. Having experienced overwhelming challenges myself, I am eager for the opportunity to inspire and guide others, encouraging them to pay it forward and help those in need. I have come to understand that there is no such thing as a perfect life, but I remain steadfast in my aspirations to become the empowered and sophisticated black woman I have always dreamed of being. Going to college and achieving my dreams means breaking generational curses, overcoming childhood trauma, making my mother proud, achieving success, and being the first in my family to do so.

Growing up as a girl, I always had big hopes and dreams. Some of these dreams were quite unrealistic, like the idea of becoming a princess. Other aspirations revolved around wanting to be a wealthy and sophisticated black woman leading a perfect life. I yearned for a future where I would face no struggles as an adult. However, my reality was quite different. I grew up in a single-income household, facing numerous challenges associated with having only one parent. Our family struggled financially, and I vividly remember my mom's efforts to ensure that bills were paid and we had enough to eat. Despite her own hardships, she always made sure that I never went without. Growing up in predominantly low-income neighborhoods exposed me to street violence, homelessness, and various other issues that my mother tried to shield me from. She worked hard to keep me on the right path, and I consider myself fortunate to have had a mother who always made things happen, even in the face of adversity. This upbringing has shaped me into a strong, intelligent, and compassionate young woman. I have a deep passion for helping young people express their true identities and understand their roots. I value inner peace and believe in the importance of protecting one's spirit. Breaking generational cycles and empowering others are causes close to my heart. I firmly believe that anything is possible with the right mindset, determination, and dedication. It took me a long time to cultivate this mindset, as I often found myself feeling angry and disillusioned, yearning for the elusive "picture-perfect life." However, I eventually came to the realization that perfection is an illusion and that flaws exist everywhere. I also began considering my future career path and knew that I wanted to pursue a degree in psychology. My desire to become a therapist for adolescents stems from my innate inclination to listen to and support my friends. I aspire to offer hope and mentorship, aiding others in overcoming their insecurities without fear of judgment. Having experienced overwhelming challenges myself, I am eager for the opportunity to inspire and guide others, encouraging them to pay it forward and help those in need. I have come to understand that there is no such thing as a perfect life, but I remain steadfast in my aspirations to become the empowered and sophisticated black woman I have always dreamed of being.

Growing up as a girl, I always had big hopes and dreams. Some of these dreams were quite unrealistic, like the idea of becoming a princess. Other aspirations revolved around wanting to be a wealthy and sophisticated black woman leading a perfect life. I yearned for a future where I would face no struggles as an adult. However, my reality was quite different. I grew up in a single-income household, facing numerous challenges associated with having only one parent. Our family struggled financially, and I vividly remember my mom's efforts to ensure that bills were paid and we had enough to eat. Despite her own hardships, she always made sure that I never went without. Growing up in predominantly low-income neighborhoods exposed me to street violence, homelessness, and various other issues that my mother tried to shield me from. She worked hard to keep me on the right path, and I consider myself fortunate to have had a mother who always made things happen, even in the face of adversity. This upbringing has shaped me into a strong, intelligent, and compassionate young woman. I have a deep passion for helping young people express their true identities and understand their roots. I value inner peace and believe in the importance of protecting one's spirit. Breaking generational cycles and empowering others are causes close to my heart. I firmly believe that anything is possible with the right mindset, determination, and dedication. It took me a long time to cultivate this mindset, as I often found myself feeling angry and disillusioned, yearning for the elusive "picture-perfect life." However, I eventually came to the realization that perfection is an illusion and that flaws exist everywhere. I also began considering my future career path and knew that I wanted to pursue a degree in psychology. My desire to become a therapist for adolescents stems from my innate inclination to listen to and support my friends. I aspire to offer hope and mentorship, aiding others in overcoming their insecurities without fear of judgment. Having experienced overwhelming challenges myself, I am eager for the opportunity to inspire and guide others, encouraging them to pay it forward and help those in need. I have come to understand that there is no such thing as a perfect life, but I remain steadfast in my aspirations to become the empowered and sophisticated black woman I have always dreamed of being.

Growing up as a girl, I always had big hopes and dreams. Some of these dreams were quite unrealistic, like the idea of becoming a princess. Other aspirations revolved around wanting to be a wealthy and sophisticated black woman leading a perfect life. I yearned for a future where I would face no struggles as an adult. However, my reality was quite different. I grew up in a single-income household, facing numerous challenges associated with having only one parent. Our family struggled financially, and I vividly remember my mom's efforts to ensure that bills were paid and we had enough to eat. Despite her own hardships, she always made sure that I never went without. Growing up in predominantly low-income neighborhoods exposed me to street violence, homelessness, and various other issues that my mother tried to shield me from. She worked hard to keep me on the right path, and I consider myself fortunate to have had a mother who always made things happen, even in the face of adversity. This upbringing has shaped me into a strong, intelligent, and compassionate young woman. I have a deep passion for helping young people express their true identities and understand their roots. I value inner peace and believe in the importance of protecting one's spirit. Breaking generational cycles and empowering others are causes close to my heart. I firmly believe that anything is possible with the right mindset, determination, and dedication. It took me a long time to cultivate this mindset, as I often found myself feeling angry and disillusioned, yearning for the elusive "picture-perfect life." However, I eventually came to the realization that perfection is an illusion and that flaws exist everywhere. I also began considering my future career path and knew that I wanted to pursue a degree in psychology. My desire to become a therapist for adolescents stems from my innate inclination to listen to and support my friends. I aspire to offer hope and mentorship, aiding others in overcoming their insecurities without fear of judgment. Having experienced overwhelming challenges myself, I am eager for the opportunity to inspire and guide others, encouraging them to pay it forward and help those in need. I have come to understand that there is no such thing as a perfect life, but I remain steadfast in my aspirations to become the empowered and sophisticated black woman I have always dreamed of being.

Growing up as a girl, I always had big hopes and dreams. Some of these dreams were quite unrealistic, like the idea of becoming a princess. Other aspirations revolved around wanting to be a wealthy and sophisticated black woman leading a perfect life. I yearned for a future where I would face no struggles as an adult. However, my reality was quite different. I grew up in a single-income household, facing numerous challenges associated with having only one parent. Our family struggled financially, and I vividly remember my mom's efforts to ensure that bills were paid and we had enough to eat. Despite her own hardships, she always made sure that I never went without. Growing up in predominantly low-income neighborhoods exposed me to street violence, homelessness, and various other issues that my mother tried to shield me from. She worked hard to keep me on the right path, and I consider myself fortunate to have had a mother who always made things happen, even in the face of adversity. This upbringing has shaped me into a strong, intelligent, and compassionate young woman. I have a deep passion for helping young people express their true identities and understand their roots. I value inner peace and believe in the importance of protecting one's spirit. Breaking generational cycles and empowering others are causes close to my heart. I firmly believe that anything is possible with the right mindset, determination, and dedication. It took me a long time to cultivate this mindset, as I often found myself feeling angry and disillusioned, yearning for the elusive "picture-perfect life." However, I eventually came to the realization that perfection is an illusion and that flaws exist everywhere. I also began considering my future career path and knew that I wanted to pursue a degree in psychology. My desire to become a therapist for adolescents stems from my innate inclination to listen to and support my friends. I aspire to offer hope and mentorship, aiding others in overcoming their insecurities without fear of judgment. Having experienced overwhelming challenges myself, I am eager for the opportunity to inspire and guide others, encouraging them to pay it forward and help those in need. I have come to understand that there is no such thing as a perfect life, but I remain steadfast in my aspirations to become the empowered and sophisticated black woman I have always dreamed of being.

As I read through the pages and pages of my old journal , a wave of nostalgia crashed upon me, as I recounted my battle with mental health. The pages called to me , as the ink of my pen slowly reached the paper aching for another journal entry . In a matter of minutes , seconds, even milliseconds I had filled the page with memories and emotions of my life thus far. September 20,2023 “Am I a bad person? Am I enough?” I tend to ask myself that alot . I felt like I did everything I could just to please the people around me, but the same thoughts of being a bad person would return. There have been multiple days I found myself angry at the world and at myself, but at the end of the day I always kept a smile on my face to hide my pain. Having my feelings bottled up made me feel like I couldn't speak to anyone about my emotions without having the feeling of im doing something wrong. The 11th grade is when things took a turn. I always over thought, first about the little stuff and then it turned into everything. There became a point where I was distancing myself from the people I care for, pushing them away, all because of the thoughts I had. My mental health had declined and it was affecting my daily life, my relationships, and school. I didn't feel worthy, I felt like I wasn't in the right state of mind. Mental health wasn't something often brought up in my household, the attitude my family has is “it is what it is”. Growing up in a black household as a young girl, school was a top priority - nothing else. Ever since I was young my family would always keep track of my grades. I was rewarded based on how my performance was at school. Being set with these high standards in addition to my mental health especially throughout my junior year. When I tried to express myself to close ones, they never really seemed to understand what I was trying to say. It's always a ''it will be ok in the long run” or ”oh, well I hope you feel better eventually” that made me think that no one cared to understand how I was feeling, even when I did my best to make sure everyone else was well. Journaling made me realize that there are so many outlets to express yourself. Journaling was one of the many forms of self expression that did it for me.no judgment, no criticism ; it was just me, my pen , my diary and my thoughts. I realized that I was done being in my head all I wanted was positive energy ; a clean slate. It has helped me reduce my anxiety. It was a break away from the non stop thinking, it helped me have control over my emotions. I felt myself in a happier state. I felt free and rejuvenated. My experience with mental health shaped my goals by not wanting anyone to feel how I felt. If it were up to me I would save the whole world. I begin to think about how other teenagers dealt with situations similar to mine. In addition to that. I also knew that I needed to start thinking about what career I wanted to pursue in the future, I already knew it was going to be a psychology degree. Me wanting to become a therapist for adolescents comes from me wanting to give others hope when they feel hopeless. I want to be a mentor; someone they can look up to. Helping them overcome their self consciousness without feeling judged or ridiculed. Going through what I did during junior year knowing that life can get overwhelming at times, I can't wait for the time where I'll be inspiring others so they can go out in the world and pay it forward by helping others.

Growing up as a girl I always had big hopes and dreams, Some being unrealistic like becoming a princess. Other dreams of wanting to be a rich and sophisticated black woman whose life was perfect. I hoped to have no struggles when I became an adult. I come from a single-income home with a lot of struggles that come with having a one-parent household. My upbringing was more on the less fortunate side of the community as I was younger I could remember my mom struggling to make sure bills were paid and I had food in my mouth. She always made sure I didn't need anything even when I could tell she was struggling. growing up in predominantly low-income neighborhoods there was a lot Of street violence, homelessness, and numerous other things that my mother tried to shadow me from. My mother always made sure I was on the right path when raising me. I would say I was blessed with a mother who always made things happen even if she struggled to do so. That’s why I would describe myself as a very strong, smart, soft-spoken, intelligent young lady, who loves herself and others, someone who has a passion for helping young teens express their inner self-identification, who they are, or where they came from understanding the layers of their actions. I would say I am someone who loves peace. Someone who thinks that protecting your spirit is very important. I am passionate about elevating and breaking generational cycles. I am a well-rounded young lady who believes in herself and other qualities. I am a firm believer that anything is possible if you have the mindset, will, and desire to dedicate your time to it. It took me a long time to actually get to the mindset I have now. There have been multiple days I found myself angry at the world and at myself, probably because I didn’t have the “picture perfect life” but at the end of the day I always kept a smile on my face to hide my pain. It took me a long time to realize that there is no such thing as a picture perfect life; there are flaws everywhere in the world. I also knew that I needed to start thinking about what career plans I wanted to pursue in the future. I already knew it was going to be a psychology degree that stemmed from always wanting to hear my friend's feelings, thoughts or opinions. Me wanting to become a therapist for adolescents realistically comes from me wanting to give others hope when they feel hopeless. I want to be a mentor; someone they can look up to. Helping them overcome their self consciousness without feeling judged or ridiculed. Going through what I did knowing that life can get overwhelming at times, I can't deny that I am not waiting for the time where I'll be inspiring others so they can go out in the world and pay it forward by helping others. Realizing there isnt no such a thing as a picture perfect life not then , not now, and not in the future when I grow up to be that rich and sophisticated black woman i've always dreamed to be.

As I start to become an adult who will soon be a freshman in college I think it is very important that we walk by faith entering this new journey. Have you ever thought about the power of faith and where it will take us in life? It's amazing how it can connect us to God and give us the confidence to achieve our dreams, even when everything else seems to be out of place and going wrong. Faith is more than just a belief or an impression in our minds - it's an action that we can demonstrate in our daily lives. It's about trusting that what God has promised, has already been fulfilled, and living life with the confidence that we will succeed. To me, faith is like living life in fast-forward. We can see God's promises coming to fulfillment in advance and have a confident belief that exceeds human comprehension. This kind of confidence is essential for taking risks and achieving our goals, even when the odds seem against us. But faith isn't just about achieving our personal goals. It also influences others around us and our small, daily decisions about how we behave, like our attitude when driving and how we treat our families. And it influences the big choices we make about our lives, like the house we buy, how we use our money, and where we send our children to school. We have to trust that we will be lead in the right direction I life and know that we have the knowledge to become the greatest. I know that sometimes life can be tough, and we may face challenges that seem insurmountable. But faith can help us get through those times when everything else has failed. It's all about trusting that God has a plan for our lives and that everything will work out for our good. As long as your trying he will see you through it all. So, my advice to you is to pray and ask God to help you release your fears and doubts. Surrender your worries to Him, and trust that He has a plan for your life. Meditate on His promises, and let that help you build your faith and trust in Him. Remember, faith is personal, and everyone's journey is different. Just be authentic, intentional, and concise when you tell your story, and don't be afraid to be real about your struggles.

I am a young lady who’s in her second semester in her senior year of high school and planning to be a first-generation college student for the upcoming fall 2024 term, I come from a single-income home with a lot of struggles that come with having a one-parent household. I would say my upbringing was more on the less fortunate side of the community I grew up in low-income neighborhoods with lots Of street violence, homelessness, and numerous other things but my mother always made sure I was on the right path when raising me. I would say I was blessed with a mother who always made things happen. That’s why I would describe myself as a very strong smart soft-spoken, intelligent young lady, who loves herself and others, someone who has a passion for helping young teens express their inner self-identifying, who they are, or where they came from understanding the layers of their actions. I would say I am someone who loves peace. Someone who thinks that protecting your spirit is very important. I am passionate about elevating and breaking generational cycles and promoting self-awareness. I am a well-rounded young lady who believes in herself and strives to help others. I am a firm believer that anything is possible if you have a manifestation mindset and the will and desire to dedicate your time to it. It took me a while to adopt this mindset. When I was younger, I used to question myself a lot, thinking things like "Am I a bad person? Am I enough?" I spent a lot of time trying to please people around me but still felt like I was not good enough. However, I realized that there is no such thing as a perfect life and that I needed to focus on my own personal growth It took me a long to to realize that there is no such thing as a picture-perfect life. In terms of my career, I have decided to pursue a psychology degree. I have always been drawn to listening to my friend's thoughts and feelings and want to become a therapist for adolescents. My goal is to give others hope when they feel hopeless and to be a mentor to those who need guidance. I want to help people overcome their self-consciousness without feeling judged or ridiculed. So I would say the things that make me unconditionally are my drive to be better and to prove to myself that I can make a difference. My strength, intelligence, passion, and willingness to assist others in overcoming their obstacles are the qualities that define me. Seeing others succeed and become the best version of themselves is what drives me. Once I can help someone overcome their difficulties, I know that they can share their experiences with others and empower them to succeed as well. Knowing that I have helped someone else overcome traumas and achieve success in life will be one of my greatest accomplishments. I will not give up I continue to push forward in the future give back to the community and trust in the higher to succeed in my future I am and will be the best version of myself and so will the upcoming youth with the right guidance and support group by their side.

Rosa Parks was a civil rights activist born in February 1913. Her refusal to give up her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus in 1955 led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Her bravery sparked nationwide efforts to end racial segregation on public transportation and beyond. Parks received several prestigious awards for her activism, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Award by the NAACP, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Congressional Gold Medal. She is often referred to as the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement.” Parks passed away in October 2005 at the age of 92. Rosa Louise McCauley was Parks' birth name, and she was born on February 4, 1913, in Tuskegee, Alabama. Her parents, James and Leona McCauley, separated when Parks was only two years old. Parks’ mother moved the family to Pine Level, Alabama, to live with her parents, Rose and Sylvester Edwards. Both of Rosa’s grandparents were former slaves and strong advocates for racial equality. The family lived on the Edwards’ farm, and this is where Rosa spent her youth. As a child, she suffered from chronic tonsillitis that often left her bedridden. After undergoing a tonsillectomy in the fifth grade, she experienced temporary blindness, but her health improved soon afterward. Rosa Parks impacted many lives by being brave and standing up for what she believed in. She gave hope to a lot of people of color and made them feel like they could be heard and treated equally. Her example showed us that we can fight for our beliefs by not tolerating everyday acts of injustice and oppression. After 381 days of boycotting the buses, the Supreme Court ruled that Alabama's racial segregation laws were 'unconstitutional'. This meant that they weren't valid and should not be recognized. In light of this victory, Rosa became known as “the mother of the civil rights movement”. Rosa Parks gave children like myself the courage to stand up to bullies when they were scared and showed them how to defend themselves. Her leadership is a perfect example of how I found my courage, strength, and being heard loud and clear. She inspired me to always fight for what is right while believing that we would be heard from those who didn’t believe in us and would see us as equal people. I am now a voice for the people around me that has yet to find their own voice.i will forever be grateful for her leadership.

I am a young lady who’s in her second semester in her senior year of high school and planning to be a first-generation college student for the upcoming fall 2024 term, I come from a single-income home with a lot of struggles that come with having a one-parent household. I would say my upbringing was more on the less fortunate side of the community I grew up in low-income neighborhoods with lots Of street violence, homelessness, and numerous other things but my mother always made sure I was on the right path when raising me. I would say I was blessed with a mother who always made things happen. That’s why I would describe myself as a very strong smart soft-spoken, intelligent young lady, who loves herself and others, someone who has a passion for helping young teens express their inner self-identifying, who they are, or where they came from understanding the layers of their actions. I would say I am someone who loves peace. Someone who thinks that protecting your spirit is very important. I am passionate about elevating and breaking generational cycles and promoting self-awareness. I am a well-rounded young lady who believes in herself and strives to help others. I am a firm believer that anything is possible if you have a manifestation mindset and the will and desire to dedicate your time to it. It took me a while to adopt this mindset. When I was younger, I used to question myself a lot, thinking things like "Am I a bad person? Am I enough?" I spent a lot of time trying to please people around me but still felt like I was not good enough. However, I realized that there is no such thing as a perfect life and that I needed to focus on my own personal growth It took me a long to to realize that there is no such thing as a picture-perfect life. In terms of my career, I have decided to pursue a psychology degree. I have always been drawn to listening to my friend's thoughts and feelings and want to become a therapist for adolescents. My goal is to give others hope when they feel hopeless and to be a mentor to those who need guidance. I want to help people overcome their self-consciousness without feeling judged or ridiculed. So I would say the things that make me unconditionally are my drive to be better and to prove to myself that I can make a difference. My strength, intelligence, passion, and willingness to assist others in overcoming their obstacles are the qualities that define me. Seeing others succeed and become the best version of themselves is what drives me. Once I can help someone overcome their difficulties, I know that they can share their experiences with others and empower them to succeed as well. Knowing that I have helped someone else overcome traumas and achieve success in life will be one of my greatest accomplishments. I will not give up I continue to push forward in the future give back to the community and trust in the higher to succeed in my future I am and will be the best version of myself and so will the upcoming youth with the right guidance and support group by their side.

September 20,2023 “Am I a bad person? Am I enough?” I tend to ask myself that alot . I felt like I did everything I could just to please the people around me, but the same thoughts of being a bad person would return. There have been multiple days I found myself angry at the world and at myself, but at the end of the day I always kept a smile on my face to hide my pain. Having my feelings bottled up made me feel like I couldn't speak to anyone about my emotions without having the feeling of im doing something wrong. The 11th grade is when things took a turn. I always over thought, first about the little stuff and then it turned into everything. There became a point where I was distancing myself from the people I care for, pushing them away, all because of the thoughts I had. My mental health had declined and it was affecting my daily life, my relationships, and school. I didn't feel worthy, I felt like I wasn't in the right state of mind. Mental health wasn't something often brought up in my household, the attitude my family has is “it is what it is”. Growing up in a black household as a young girl, school was a top priority - nothing else. Ever since I was young my family would always keep track of my grades. I was rewarded based on how my performance was at school. Being set with these high standards in addition to my mental health especially throughout my junior year. When I tried to express myself to close ones, they never really seemed to understand what I was trying to say. It's always a ''it will be ok in the long run” or ”oh, well I hope you feel better eventually” that made me think that no one cared to understand how I was feeling, even when I did my best to make sure everyone else was well. knowing that mental health is a big problem in grades k-12, i am also aware of the fact that bulling rate is high. going back to this one time in elementary i was friends with a few girl who were known to make fun of others, there was this one girl in particular who they loved to bother, because she was to pale, smaller than others, she didn't have the clothes we did. her name was marcella and I'd never forget that, she was younger than us. at least like 2-3 years. i never liked the whole bullying thing, i always told them to leave her alone but they never listened, i mean why would they. ever since then i vowed to never mistreat no-one ever. I begin to think about how other teenagers dealt with situations similar to mine. or even worse, In addition to that. I also knew that I needed to start thinking about what career I wanted to pursue in the future, I already knew it was going to be a psychology degree. Me wanting to become a therapist for adolescents comes from me wanting to give others hope when they feel hopeless. I want to be a mentor; someone they can look up to. Helping them overcome their self consciousness without feeling judged or ridiculed. Going through what I did during junior year knowing that life can get overwhelming at times, I can't wait for the time where I'll be inspiring others so they can go out in the world and pay it forward by helping others.

September 20,2023 “Am I a bad person? Am I enough?” I tend to ask myself that alot . I felt like I did everything I could just to please the people around me, but the same thoughts of being a bad person would return. There have been multiple days I found myself angry at the world and at myself, but at the end of the day I always kept a smile on my face to hide my pain. Having my feelings bottled up made me feel like I couldn't speak to anyone about my emotions without having the feeling of im doing something wrong. The 11th grade is when things took a turn. I always over thought, first about the little stuff and then it turned into everything. There became a point where I was distancing myself from the people I care for, pushing them away, all because of the thoughts I had. My mental health had declined and it was affecting my daily life, my relationships, and school. I didn't feel worthy, I felt like I wasn't in the right state of mind. Mental health wasn't something often brought up in my household, the attitude my family has is “it is what it is”. Growing up in a black household as a young girl, school was a top priority - nothing else. Ever since I was young my family would always keep track of my grades. I was rewarded based on how my performance was at school. Being set with these high standards in addition to my mental health especially throughout my junior year. When I tried to express myself to close ones, they never really seemed to understand what I was trying to say. It's always a ''it will be ok in the long run” or ”oh, well I hope you feel better eventually” that made me think that no one cared to understand how I was feeling, even when I did my best to make sure everyone else was well. Journaling made me realize that there are so many outlets to express yourself. Journaling was one of the many forms of self expression that did it for me.no judgment, no criticism ; it was just me, my pen , my diary and my thoughts. I realized that I was done being in my head all I wanted was positive energy ; a clean slate. It has helped me reduce my anxiety. It was a break away from the non stop thinking, it helped me have control over my emotions. I felt myself in a happier state. I felt free and rejuvenated. I begin to think about how other teenagers dealt with situations similar to mine. In addition to that. I also knew that I needed to start thinking about what career I wanted to pursue in the future, I already knew it was going to be a psychology degree. Me wanting to become a therapist for adolescents comes from me wanting to give others hope when they feel hopeless. I want to be a mentor; someone they can look up to. Helping them overcome their self consciousness without feeling judged or ridiculed. Going through what I did during junior year knowing that life can get overwhelming at times, I can't wait for the time where I'll be inspiring others so they can go out in the world and pay it forward by helping others.

September 20,2023 “Am I a bad person? Am I enough?” I tend to ask myself that alot . I felt like I did everything I could just to please the people around me, but the same thoughts of being a bad person would return. There have been multiple days I found myself angry at the world and at myself, but at the end of the day I always kept a smile on my face to hide my pain. Having my feelings bottled up made me feel like I couldn't speak to anyone about my emotions without having the feeling of im doing something wrong. The 11th grade is when things took a turn. I always over thought, first about the little stuff and then it turned into everything. There became a point where I was distancing myself from the people I care for, pushing them away, all because of the thoughts I had. My mental health had declined and it was affecting my daily life, my relationships, and school. I didn't feel worthy, I felt like I wasn't in the right state of mind. Mental health wasn't something often brought up in my household, the attitude my family has is “it is what it is”. Growing up in a black household as a young girl, school was a top priority - nothing else. Ever since I was young my family would always keep track of my grades. I was rewarded based on how my performance was at school. Being set with these high standards in addition to my mental health especially throughout my junior year. When I tried to express myself to close ones, they never really seemed to understand what I was trying to say. It's always a ''it will be ok in the long run” or ”oh, well I hope you feel better eventually” that made me think that no one cared to understand how I was feeling, even when I did my best to make sure everyone else was well. Journaling made me realize that there are so many outlets to express yourself. Journaling was one of the many forms of self expression that did it for me.no judgment, no criticism ; it was just me, my pen , my diary and my thoughts. I realized that I was done being in my head all I wanted was positive energy ; a clean slate. It has helped me reduce my anxiety. It was a break away from the non stop thinking, it helped me have control over my emotions. I felt myself in a happier state. I felt free and rejuvenated. I begin to think about how other teenagers dealt with situations similar to mine. In addition to that. I also knew that I needed to start thinking about what career I wanted to pursue in the future, I already knew it was going to be a psychology degree. Me wanting to become a therapist for adolescents comes from me wanting to give others hope when they feel hopeless. I want to be a mentor; someone they can look up to. Helping them overcome their self consciousness without feeling judged or ridiculed. Going through what I did during junior year knowing that life can get overwhelming at times, I can't wait for the time where I'll be inspiring others so they can go out in the world and pay it forward by helping others.