I stay committed to speaking my mind by voicing my feelings and raising awareness on issues I believe in. People can not read your mind, nor can you read theirs. It is crucial to publicize your feelings to build relationships and reduce conflicts. There are already too many problems that start today and are still happening. Not speaking your mind hurts you and others, which communication is vital. On social media, I re-share posts of issues I believe in. By building awareness and sharing information, people are less ignorant and understand the necessity for change. It is important to me that there is more awareness around these issues because it shows what is morally wrong with what is currently in place and happening. I publicly show that I support fighting for these issues on social media, which not all people are comfortable with demonstrating or stating their beliefs. I stay committed to speaking my mind by defining my feelings and increasing awareness on issues I believe in.

One change I think that would make education better for future generations is if there was more funding from the government for all schools and that there would be people to continuously evaluate the quality of a school. These are two crucial parts of ensuring better education for future generations because many teachers are underfunded or budgets are cut. Teachers lose their jobs but are still paying off their student debt. Some teachers may need more resources for cleaning supplies, textbooks, and more for their job that they do not receive. For example, many teachers risk their health and safety to teach their students but cannot access testing and treatment. Another example is the recent viral video of a group of teachers scrambling to take as much money as they can off the ground. They had to compete against each other for the entertainment of others and to fund their classrooms. Clearly, schools are not funded well, or other schools receive more than others. I also believe in regular, routine evaluations of schools because not all students receive the help or resources they need. This results in their growth and mindset around education becoming negative, and they have fewer ambitions about their future. Regular evaluations include teachers and standards as well. Many students experience racism and discrimination or are not learning enough from their teachers. Their teachers could not relate to them or connect with them to grow. Currently, in some states, there is legislation banning race education and more that restricts discussion on the reality of society and its discriminatory ways. History is not always reassuring or uplifting and forces people to face harsh facts. It also repeats itself when we, as a society, do not learn from our mistakes. The banning of race education today undermines the progress of social movements in the past. For example, in the 1960s, the Chicano movement took place, and it was a movement meant to empower Mexican heritage and culture. The education of heritage and culture for minorities and immigrants is crucial to combating racism and encouraging empathy. It is also a reflection on the quality of education in America to connect with students of different ethnic backgrounds and empower them to grow and want more out of life as a necessary human right. Furthermore, many students become burnt out or quit school because it is not fulfilling or educating them well and not only due to lack of connection. Standardized testing stresses many, and it is not suitable for all to perform well in archaic ways. America's standards on reading, writing, mathematics, and science have fallen behind many countries. The current system of education is falling apart and is insufficient. It is improperly funded and not distributed fairly to all schools and teachers. It is also not reaching students of various ethnic backgrounds and is failing them.

If I am feeling overwhelmed about assignments, I write a to-do list. As simple and mundane as it sounds, it helps relieve my anxiety and worry and motivates me to continue and finish what I have to do. School is a large source of stress for many teenagers because of pressure, expectations, and the workload. I also listen to music while I work on my assignments to make it more enjoyable in a sense and just in general, if I am feeling down. Another way I take care of my mental health is practice personal hygiene. When you do not take care of yourself, you feel worse than just sleeping and avoiding things. Your future self will be happy and not regretful that you chose to get up, take a shower, brush your teeth, and etc. I also take breaks and engage in activities I enjoy. Sitting and worrying about something instead of working on ways to fight those negative feelings is not beneficial. Then, there are other times where I feel like I need to be more expressive rather than being on my own, such as being creative or talking to someone. I feel like my feelings are acknowledged afterwards and the weight has been lifted from my shoulders. There are various methods for taking care of your mental health and some are more individual and personalized.

My favorite book is "Not If I See You First" by Eric Lindstrom. It is about a blind girl who navigates starting a new life after her father's death and is living with her father's sister's family. Then, she meets someone from her past she was not expecting to see. It is a story of romance and self-confidence. The main character learns to trust more people, become more confident past her grief and the rules she made to protect herself, and to live more freely. I enjoy reading romance, but this book also delivered on self-growth and healing. That was something I was working on while I read the book and am still working on today. The story is light-hearted, meaningful, and sweet, which makes it enjoying to come back to and reread. Not only is the story engaging, but it also brings awareness to having a disability or limitation of some sort. It delivers the message of how building trust is sometimes a long, difficult process. Overall, this book is entertaining, heartwarming, and emotionally relatable to many.

The way I listen to people is through their body language and their tone and making eye contact. Their words are not the only thing they communicate. I want to understand them better, acknowledge their feelings and what they are asking, and show that I am there for them. I know what it is like to be unheard or misunderstood. Good listening is also how images, words, and various mediums communicate different meanings. It is why I love stories and want to gain a degree in public relations. Those people have to translate to others what one, a company, or a product is attempting to state. Communication is personable and valued by everyone. People remember that you listened instead of ignoring them or talking over them. They know they can speak to you with your full attention and understanding. Good listening is making eye contact and showing signs through body language.

I think the best way to live a long, healthy life is to have a purpose, be surrounded by good people who love and care about you, and have good self-esteem. Having a purpose means you understand why you are here and what you will do with your life. Knowing who you are creating a sense of ease and comfort in who you are, including your self-esteem. When you have confidence in yourself and like who you are to function. Good self-esteem allows you to do things you want, be engaged, and be your best self. I also believe that having good people around is crucial because they can help you grow instead of putting you down. These are people who are going to be around for a while. The people you surround yourself with affect your self-esteem, beliefs, and purpose. The three attributes I listed are all interconnected, and each maintains a specific area in your life or multiple.

One of the wisest things I have ever heard is: You do not owe anyone anything and they do not owe you anything either. This is important to me because it reminds me not to care about what others think and to do things for myself. I struggled a lot with that when I was younger. I was deeply affected emotionally on trying to be what other people needed or what they wanted from me. That was not healthy, and this saying was thought-provoking. Even if I did support someone or did something for them, that does not mean that they will, and if they are not close with me. There are the good people you can surround yourself with and who will be there for you. This statement also helps with relieving one's self from guilt that you mentally convince yourself that you deserve to suffer or not. It is easy to fall into a negative mindset and to surround yourself with people who believe that. Overall, this statement has helped me mentally, emotionally, and allowed me to grow. It guides me to not listen to what other people think or guilt-trip myself. I am able to live for myself and not believe that I have to do something for someone because it is something they want or need and I have to be that person to do it for them.

There are so many things that motivate me on a daily basis. Some are subconsciously there like family. Others are more noticeable like teachers. I am always inspired by people who have accomplished a lot, are happy, and who are pursuing their passion. It helps with feeling like I may not get my dream or reach my goals. Someone has done it already or is in the process of doing so. To me, that is inspiring. I find motivation in the stories I read; characters who have to overcome a struggle or how their circumstances differ greatly from mine. It may be a way of escaping my own world, but their journey and growth emotionally affect me. Motivation can be found everywhere, whether you are aware or unaware, and are in the people around you. I love learning about other people's stories, fictional or not, and what they have accomplished.

Mental health is something that is still very stigmatized. People tend to look away from society and are afraid of showing that they may feel a certain way. A practical solution for mental health is therapy. Many think a person must have grief, family, or relationship issues and are 'broken' or weak to seek therapy. People's thoughts on mental health are similar; there must have been some tragedy or genetics that caused you to feel or think a certain way. It is not helpful to those who are struggling. If someone is struggling in a math class, they should seek help. There is nothing wrong with seeking help around that; you are having trouble understanding a formula or a problem. With mental health, it can be troubling to understand your feelings, thoughts, or traumatic experiences. There is a saying: mental health is just as important as physical health. Terrible physical health does not mean that your mental health must be too; it just means that the importance of mental health should be equal. Therapy is beneficial because one can identify their feelings, thoughts, or issues and solutions to cope. Discussing your feelings with someone not part of your family, friend, work, or another group can be helpful because it is a safe, professional setting. A therapist would be someone qualified to understand and listen. Indeed, someone may not seek therapy because it is expensive or difficult to find nearby. The first therapist someone seeks may not always be the right match for someone's personality. It should be kept in mind, though, that someone should at least have another to talk to that would understand their issues.

My experience with mental illness has changed my perspective on many things. In some ways, like judging people on their appearance, how they act, hearing the name of an illness or disease, or seeing stereotypes on television. I never really considered these ingrained biases I had due to the influences in my life. It also showed me what it was like on the other side to be judged, ostracized, forgotten, or noticed in a way where everyone only saw your differences. Discriminating others based on their differences is not new. I learned how having a mental illness is another silent discrimination. It changes how people see you so much. They become weirded out, they talk about you, and they see you as incapable. This hurt, even further increasing my causes for my mental illness...If I did not have insecurities, anxiety, or self-consciousness before, this was exacerbated. I struggled for months to work on my mental health and mental illness. Considering I am young, and my circumstances were unusual but plausible, I was out of the system faster than others. There were people on my side and people who were not. I cannot imagine how much people can go through to fight for themselves...or lose hope altogether. I know I did at times. I survived, though, and I changed. I want people in my life to know that I am there for them and that I will not let them be alone in their struggles, no matter how small; a person's feelings should not be invalidated. I want to advocate for mental health rights and educate others about them, too. I will be an educated voter, and I will fight for these small injustices. I want future generations to live in a world with rights and a world that they will not be discriminated against for whatever reason.

I am motivated by my mental health journey after my breakdown. I survived it, and I proved to myself that I could change everything. I have since learned who are the right people and who are the wrong people in my life. I have found the support I needed and rediscovered the beauty of life. I want to pursue a degree in public relations because I love communication, art, and meanings and messages. I started a few years ago my hobby of photography and writing poetry. What I learned is how art is so empowering for self-expression and finding peace. I have a purpose in life because I overcame the worst time of my life. I will live my life to the fullest I can because I am free, and nothing should stop me. The fact that I am using the right I have to live to be myself is liberating. I now know I want to live this life, what I want to do in it, and take advantage of what it has to offer me.

I want to pursue higher education because I know how valuable education is for your future and career. People are more likely to hire you more, and you can also get more connections through your college than just on your own. I feel like a higher education can support you a whole lot more and has more stability. There are so many things you can learn. Additionally, my parents have never gone to college and are immigrants. Going to college is a value in my family, and besides my personal beliefs, I want to make my parents proud. In my free time, I love doing photography and doing poetry. I also am part of this local program called The College Crusade, which provides help and support for preparing for college, life skills, tutoring, and scholarships. The program works with many other institutions locally and provides beneficial ways to spend your summer. The College Crusade also works with middle and high schools across the state to not interfere with school. Instead, it works with the schools to help students grow and thrive. Currently, I am most passionate about taking the opportunities I can and being more socially proactive. My high school and the College Crusade offer credits and accessibility to dual-enrollment and college courses in general. I signed up for some classes related to the degree I want in public relations, such as Introduction to Marketing 1001, Mass Media, and Media Design. I want to take the available courses I have and possibly getting my first job or internship. I want to get internships to learn more about the industry and to improve my resume. Social media is powerful, and many people are on it. Moreover, knowing I can make a difference through social media by raising awareness about numerous causes and signing petitions is something I am grateful for and empowers me. Even if I cannot provide money, I can tell the people I know and my followers. Despite being a teenager, I have a voice, and I know I can use it. I do not have to be an adult to change my life or the lives of others. People in need can post on social media and teach other users like me about their situation and culture to have empathy and understanding. I do not want to be isolated, nor educated, and neither for my friends, too. Overall, I want to achieve higher education, prepare for my future, and make it possible.

To me, being an artist is being expressive and free. It means I can let go of things and just be me. It is hard for me to communicate to people my feelings verbally, so I try to through art sometimes. However, I mainly write poetry and do photography. I use photography to find an inner sense of calm and focus on one thing at a time. I do aspire to travel more and take photos of places I have been. I also want to try and be more creative with expression in photography; however, I am still learning the basics of composition. When I write poetry, it lets me organize my thoughts concisely. I can choose the structure of how I want to say something or articulate how my feelings can be mixed and change drastically. Being artistic will help me navigate through life better by allowing me to process my feelings and thoughts. It also allows me to look back on my progress in skills and my emotional, mental journey. I get to see how I grow over time and associate memories with when I wrote the poem. Not all of my poetry is personal; some of it is just from being inspired by some music I listen to and how it affects me. I become more connected through music by being inspired by it or reading others' lyrics. I love hearing other people's stories and being amazed at the emotion they capture in their songs. People never know where life may take them sometimes, but they often fantasize about doing things. I sometimes dream about publishing my poetry and sharing it or just with my friends and family. At the moment, it feels too personal or weird. I want to share it when I feel ready and comfortable with myself. I do not think I can share my poems because I think people will ask me questions about them. I think that words are influential, and my poetry could affect people's perspectives on certain things and of me. If I applied to a poetry competition, I would get the chance to show people the importance of mental health and seeing growth in yourself. I also dream about being a songwriter sometimes with the poetry I write, but I think that's even further out of my range as much as I do love music. I love art; I love making it; I love the expression and emotion, and I love the art others make.

I am a first-generation student in my family. My parents immigrated from China, and most of their family and friends were left behind. They left China because of extreme economic hardship and unfair leaders. My parents still work grueling jobs, but they make the best they can for my sisters and me. Like other immigrant parents, mine told me that I must do my best and make them proud. I have to go to college, and I have to be successful. I used to push myself to my limits or put even more pressure on myself to do great and be perfect. If I was not perfect, it made me ashamed of myself. I developed the need to appear strong in front of others because I could not be weak. While I have a healthier mindset now, I still believe in doing my best. Living your life is something crucial because my parents wanted that and give that to their children if they did not. Furthermore, even though my parents do not have much money compared to others, it is enough. I know I am lucky, and I am grateful that I do not have to work on a farm like my parents. I have more opportunities than they did. I put a lot of value in effort and work because of my parents' experiences, and if I did not try, it feels like I get nothing out of something sometimes. Many people do not get why I must do my best a lot of the time and think that there is no point in trying to do my best, even if they are from an immigrant family. Another belief my parents have made is the importance of education. If people did not work on a farm, that meant they had money and free time to pursue an education in my parents' childhoods. Education can get you far in life. I believe that life should be fulfilling and happy. What people think should not matter so much and that you are allowed to choose your path. You can speak your mind, and you deserve the right to live your life. The people you try to please may never be satisfied, and it's hard to let go of things because you always get judged. Following a dream is something that my parents taught me because they made their situation better when they immigrated to America.

In second grade, I was different from the student I am today. I was very temperamental, inconsiderate, and had terrible grades. I barely remember much from that time because I was so embarrassed about who I used to be. I was also late to school a lot of the time; a lot of trademarks of a bad student. My teacher finally got through to me to make me want to try harder in school, and I guess, since then, I did. One day, my teacher noticed me cheating during my spelling test. Spelling words is not something that should have required me to cheat, but it did for me. I am not sure why, still, to this day, that I did, but I did. My teacher pulled me aside outside of the classroom. I broke down into tears because my teacher started yelling at me. Why was I doing what I did? There was no reason, and it was just a spelling test. I did not give her the truth because I was so embarrassed. She then told me to wipe my nose and clean up in the bathroom. For the rest of that day, I was very ashamed of myself and refused to talk about it with my friends. I told my mom when I came from school, I think. She asked me, too, why I cheated on my spelling test, and I told her the truth: I did not believe in myself. Since that day, I have tried working harder at schoolwork and getting up on time. I did manage to raise my grades from what they were before, which became passing. After second grade, I had become a person who was very serious and studious about my work. After I changed into an almost completely different person, who I used to be was forgotten from people's minds. Although I did not excel in second grade, my second-grade teacher helped motivate me to try harder and to want to work hard in the future. I started to become more ambitious and soon wanted to pursue higher education. I am still ashamed of myself, but changing from that little experience has affected me so much. I think finding the motivation to be in school as a kid is challenging, especially for me. There was not much to care about, and I also had many bad habits in second grade, which pretty much stopped once someone confronted me: my second-grade teacher.

My parents immigrated from China, along with a few of their family members. Most of their family and friends were left behind. They left China because of extreme economic hardship and unfair leaders. My parents still work in grueling jobs, but they make the best they can for my sisters and me. Being a first-generation American is a lot of pressure. I have to do the best I can in school to afford a better life than what my parents got. Additionally, I would feel out of place because I am either one of the very few Asians or too Americanized among many other Asians. Some challenges I have faced are mental health and socializing. It was weird when I was a kid to tell people that my parents would not let me do certain things, or I had never tried certain things. My parents focus a lot on eating healthy and saving their money, which I did not understand then because I felt left out. In a time of economic hardship, people were very malnourished and worked all day out in the sun. It is hard to imagine how different things are, but it was almost fifty years ago. With mental health, I would often push myself to my limits or put even more pressure on myself to do good and be perfect. If I did not get a perfect score or yelled at for doing something wrong, it made me very sad, and I would almost cry. I developed the need to appear strong in front of others because I could not be weak, which I always felt for doing something wrong or not being perfect. Since then, I have learned from those experiences and become a happier, healthier human in some ways. Overall, I hope I can make an easier life for my parents and live the life that I want.

Mental health was not something I knew as a kid. I started learning about it more during middle school and right now in high school. I think there is a lot of stigma around mental health and that people see you as crazy, or you can never reach out to them because no one cares. People did not talk about it a lot. Having experienced mental health issues destigmatized things for me and opened up my perspective. I had a lot of unhealthy habits and ways of thinking. I also realized I was not in a good place for a long time. Another lesson I learned is that you have to have people who help you grow, not bring you down or guilt-trip you. When my mental health was its worst, my relationships were impacted, which showed me who my true friends were. It also revealed issues in these relationships. While I was finding myself during the process of healing, which may never stop, I think that I started letting people in more. I became a much more open, caring person in some ways. I also developed a sense of wanting to help others in some way. I do not think that my future career will necessarily orient towards that. I think it will still carry the importance of my experience in the future.

In 2020, being at home changed so much of my life. It was weird, especially, to start at high school, a crucial time in your life, and then halfway through the year, everything just gets turned upside down. You could no longer go outside or see your friends because you could get infected by the virus and die. There was also so much panic and political debates that it felt like nothing was okay. I learned that I am a hugger; I like hugging people and talking to people in person, and I felt very lonely during the quarantine. It was also strange that there were fewer opportunities to go on a trip. Even though it was likely that you would not have, you had the chance to, and it was like a fantasy. The year 2020 also left me feeling disappointed with world leaders because no one addressed the virus until it started affecting their own countries. Additionally, it bothered me that it was called the Chinese virus and that they are at fault. One of the conspiracy theories was that the Chinese government made the virus on purpose. There would not be a possible way to be immune to something that spreads through germs unless they already had a vaccine, which they did not. Also, the virus would have stopped their production services. They ship numerous goods out and in. Why would they want to create a virus that could tremendously hurt their economy? Another thing I learned from 2020 is that I want to be more of an advocate of civil rights and fight discrimination after so many violent events and protesters silenced. I also want to be more educated on politics and knowing what bills are made, such as anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-voting.

My parents named me Joanne, and before sixth grade, I thought it was a horrible name because it did not sound pretty and was very old-fashioned. Later on, in sixth grade, I would meet my sixth-grade math teacher, who was named Joanne, as well. A role model in my life turned out to be my sixth-grade math teacher. In sixth grade, starting middle school had been nerve-wracking, and at eleven years old, I was trying to find myself. I had been a serious, quiet girl a the time. I did not speak my mind much. I did not expect to meet some of the people I did in sixth grade, such as my math teacher. My math teacher was a very supportive person. She was always kind to me and was always very encouraging. I learned to embrace who I was and to relax more. My math teacher was also a very inclusive person who made sure everyone had a chance to speak and could be part of the conversation. I think that the emotional impact she has made on me led me to learn to be more confident in some ways. I hope that I can be more of a leader like her.

This is the "This is Fine" meme. It also ironically became popular when Australia was having many forest fires. I feel like this is highly representative of being a teenager, and everything is falling apart. Things did fall apart in 2020, and nothing felt okay. Things are still not, but this is fine.

The person I met in the beginning year of middle school, I befriended in my freshman year of high school. It was very unexpected, nor did I or the other person think that we would be friends. We rarely saw each other in the years in between. I met this person in a swimming class, which occurred on alternating days. She sat down next to me, and we had a short conversation. The conversation did make my day. It was just some kind words, but they helped me. Entering a new school gave me a lot of anxiety, and I did not expect to have it. That is why that conversation helped. We never talked after that. We did not have another class together until eighth grade. We did not speak then either, and I do not think we remembered that day a few years earlier. By eighth grade, I was in a somewhat better place and had found my group of friends. However, I think I formed a closer group of friends in freshman year. Starting high school was also, yet again, another anxiety-inducing experience. In the first semester of freshman year, we met again. We were assigned seats, and we started talking. Surprisingly, we bonded almost immediately and became friends. I find it strange that we did not become friends before, nor did we talk again after our first encounter. Also, one day, in our shared class, she asked me when we met. We knew who the other was, and we went to the same middle school; it was relatively small. She did not remember when we met because it was just a small conversation that did not affect her. Our conversation that day, though, made my day and gave me a lasting impression. I think it is super interesting how a stranger's kindness can do a lot, and in our case, we became friends. Overall, this shows how a random act of kindness is impactful, and although you or someone else may not remember doing so, it had left a mark like in my case. Ironically, I joined a club for kindness freshman year at my high school. Since sixth grade, as I have grown into who I am, kindness has been a crucial part of my identity. For example, saying kind words or telling someone to keep trying are simple things you can do to make someone's day.

The boldest thing I have ever done is make my Instagram account. While this is most definitely an average teenage thing for most, it was not for me because I had never "put myself" out online. I post photos that I take, and photography is something I truly enjoy.

Mental health has been very impactful on my life. It has also put into perspective some unhealthy habits and mindsets I used to have. I would never talk to anyone about my feelings, and I never relaxed. When I began failing school, I developed lower self-esteem. I still never took into account my mental and emotional health. Teachers frequently made public my poor performance and how they expected better of me. After, hearing these statements hurt me even more because people were expressing my worries. Many people expected me to be better than I was because I used to be a perfect student, and to them, I was not trying my best. No one had sympathy for me, and I did not either for myself. If you are failing school, people do not think you deserve help. I used to have this same belief before I experienced it and learned that it was harder to start from the bottom. Experiencing this situation made me more unwilling to ask for help because I felt hypocritical and ashamed. My experience is not an inspirational story about how I worked hard enough to pass because I did not do that at all. My mental health was so bad that I ended up being hospitalized and diagnosed with a learning disability. I guess that I got the easy out, but my story also shows how important mental health is, so you do not end up in the hospital like me. Since then, I have been working on asking for help more and learning to take short breaks to relax and let go of my stress. Also, returning from the hospital was more embarrassing than failing because my mental health was so poor. Mental health should be destigmatized, in my opinion as well. There will always be pressure to do well in school, but I am learning how to manage and cope with my stress. I also have a much larger support system than I did before. Additionally, pressuring someone to be perfect or that they are, is a very unhealthy expectation. No one is perfect, and no one should strive for perfection in themself. It leads you to never asking for help or having any support. You are isolated when you label someone perfect in some way. Eventually, they burn out, whether from the pressure, stress, or goals they have to achieve. It is always good to your best, and you should, but not to the point of exhaustion or perfection.

My all-time favorite film is Miss Congeniality. It is about an agent named Gracie Hart, who is primarily the only female at her government agency. The movie starts with a group of male agents digitalizing people and making their coworkers into females. Then, they create Gracie as a more girly person in contrast to her tomboy personality. Coincidentally, Gracie has to become more girly for a new assignment of protecting a pageant. Thrust into a new world, Gracie tries to fit in. It is an adventure about being your true self and having courage. While this movie does have a lot of sexist stereotypes, it still shows female empowerment. I love this movie because it is funny and has female empowerment.

In seventh grade, I was diagnosed with my learning disability. I went through many doctors trying to diagnose me, and we figured it out. Initially, everyone thought, including me, that things would go by quickly, but that was not what ended up happening. This diagnosis, though, took a while to deal with and adjust. I remember throughout that I was worried about falling behind in school or not being able to return. I was scared about dropping out and what my future would be. Would I be reliant on government help and programs for the rest of my life? Will my family be in financial debt? Will my family's insurance stop providing for me? It was weird after learning that I had a disability; that I was different. I did not know what being normal was. It was also difficult for me to focus on my schoolwork while I had this diagnosis of a learning disability and the disability itself affecting my performance. Eventually, my doctors and I found a plan for me, and soon, I was allowed to continue to the eighth grade. When I was in hospital programs, I was not sure what my career would be. I thought that I would want to help out someone who was once like me, but the future was still so far away. Now, as a sophomore, I know I want to be in the public relations field. I have learned since eighth grade that I like helping people, being artistic, and expressing myself. 

Being a teenager is a confusing time. Finding self-love and acceptance has been a struggle. One thing I have learned is that if you cannot love yourself, loving others is difficult. I have seen insecurities ruin relationships because it makes it difficult to grow and understand the people around you. When I was younger, I always wanted to be right and perfect because I felt insecure. I did not like who I was, and I did not know how to change. As a result, I found it harder to talk to people and make friends. You leave a lasting impression on people you meet, and the ones I met in elementary school carried on their impressions to middle school. Since leaving middle school and entering high school, I have learned that I have to let go of the past and who I used to be. I used to worry constantly about what others thought and have hated myself. I can make new friends and can let go of old ones because people change, and so do I. Having self-love and acceptance has impacted my empathy and seeing another person's perspective. I know now that I am not always right and other people can be right. Not everyone has the same experience nor perspectives. Having self-love and acceptance has given me more confidence in how I want to be seen and what paths I can make in my life. I use social media a lot and have been influenced by many others about their journies as well and that a simple kindness goes a long way.

My experience with mental health has been a long journey, and I am continuing to grow and learn. In the eighth grade, I wanted to be a psychologist or a type of counselor to help others struggling with their mental health issues because I wanted to return the favor. Now, I realize that it might not be a suitable career for me as I am still growing and learning. Mental health is an individual issue, and people cope differently. Others will also view you differently as well. It has impacted my relationships greatly; however, I am finding the people who support me and what I can work on in the relationship.

I appreciate being born in this generation where female music artists are strong, and I admire Taylor Swift and Halsey. I find Taylor Swift's music emotionally powerful and lyrically clever like The Man. This song is about hypothetically being a man. She has shown me that certain phrases have different effects, which was thought-provoking. Halsey has been through poverty, homelessness, sexual assault, and sexual abuse. She has taught me how women are sexualized and used. She became a sex worker because she was poor and homeless, but not all sex workers become one to avoid such things. People can embrace their sexuality and be themselves, regardless of financial and living situations. I have gained more perspective and sympathy because of Halsey. Halsey has also shown me that getting married and having children is a frequent topic for women. Halsey and Taylor Swift have taught me that you can be independent, single, and powerful. You can do whatever you want with your body, and you are in control of your life.

When I was growing up, beauty was the main focus of the conversation from adults in my personal life and it still is today. While women have equal rights today, that doesn't mean there isn't any discrimination nor biases that people have. I think society can empower women by providing equal opportunities in education, jobs, and pay. There should be societal standards and laws that allow women to achieve what they want to do and receive equal treatment. We have rights, and we can use them. We can use our voices to advocate for ourselves and empower each other. Comparison is constant in our world, but unity makes us more successful.

Demi Lovato recently released an album called Dancing With the Devil. While this album is very new, I find the lyrics resonate with me a lot. There are many lyrics from California Sober that I love, such as, "Trading in my shame for perspective/Tired of bein' known for my sickness", "But living for perfection isn't living", and this last verse: "Trading judgment for freedom/Found somethin' new to believe in/Somethin' inside of me screaming/Don't be so hard on yourself/Lookup, somethin' has shifted/My heavy spirit is lifted/I found myself". Overall, this song is about finding yourself and peace in recuperating.