My name is Ava, and, as an individual who identifies as non-binary, the struggles I have faced due to my identity have revolved around finding my own uniqueness in terms of pronouns and self-expression, especially as a teenager. There were many difficulties throughout the course of my life that I faced regarding my gender identity: growing up a dancer, having long hair, and going to an all-girls school. It was strange, feeling trapped in a feminine body and questioning my appearance, which made me feel stuck and alienated from my peers. I was already openly queer in my sexuality, but having different pronouns and a different gender than what I was born with had never occurred to me; brought with the idea was an onslaught of new, complex thoughts and emotions. I have always been passionate about the arts through dance and art, but especially creative writing. Expressing my emotions and thoughts and articulating them through words has always been important to me, especially when sports and activities I loved—such as dance—began to feel confining and disconcerting with gender dysphoria. My underlying discomfort peaked when I first started high school, and I struggled to find ways to process my feelings and dysphoria. So, I would write poems in my email drafts when I took the bus and the train to commute home from school. I had always been fond of creative writing in middle school, but stopped due to a lack of interest and creativity. Oddly enough, writing my silly poems in my free time sparked my passion once again, and I actively sought out more opportunities to write. I took a creative writing class to expand my abilities, and wrote short stories every class; my teachers quickly recognized my enthusiasm and recommended other opportunities for me to continue and improve my work. I joined the creative writing after-school club as well and became a well-known member. Writing helped me address and regulate what I was really feeling through something I was passionate about, and helped me to a greater understanding of myself and my gender identity. It’s rather strange to think now that, when I started high school, I had long hair, and despite never quite feeling comfortable with it, I believed it was my best quality. In my sophomore year, I had been exposed to other openly queer people—despite the school being rather small, all-girls, and Catholic—and I finally gained the confidence to cut off the majority of my hair to feel more androgynous. For the first time, I began to feel comfortable with my identity, and embracing that other side of myself brought me a sense of peace. It was that same year I was finally able to come out as non-binary. I truly believe that it was the newfound sense of confidence in expressing myself that creative writing gave me that allowed me to cut my hair and openly communicate my pronouns. Now, as a senior, I am externally more feminine, though I am finally comfortable with my pronouns and appearance. Reflecting on the experiences high school brought regarding my gender identity, don’t think I would have made it this far without creative writing, which led me to pursue it. I believe everyone should have outlets for self-expression, and if more people had access to creative writing, I think they would recognize its usefulness. I am passionate about pursuing writing because, if it helped me find myself, I believe it has the potential to help so many others as well.