For most of my life, change, and the thought of it alone, seemed scary and unpredictable. However, I’ve grown to realize that change is necessary and argue that it is exactly what makes life worth living. Each day we develop, influenced by our thoughts, daily interactions, and the opportunities presented to us. Looking back, I can identify weekly, and even daily, improvements in myself as a whole, but more specifically, my thoughts. I had a major shift in my mindset following the year 2020. This shift and the experiences building up to it, helped me to develop into the person I am today. As a result of change, I am now the woman that I have always dreamed of becoming. In 2020, I was in a similar situation as most: quarantined and isolated from society. Yet, being homeschooled my entire life, I didn’t have many friends to message or social media to interact with my peers. As a result of the pandemic, things were changing, but still, I was in my comfort zone. I thought that meant that I was happy, that I was supposed to be happy. I’d complete my schoolwork for the day, spend hours watching videos, and would constantly overthink past experiences. Having so much time alone, I’d spend it analyzing every detail of past conversations, causing me to spiral. I would remain a victim of my negative thought patterns, constantly picking apart my body, my personality, and my skills. The worst part is I would never pick those pieces back up. Internally, even if the idea scared me, I knew something needed to change. I couldn’t keep living this way, waking up and dreading each day to come. I decided to focus on one thing: my mindset. Once I changed my perspective, the world became enveloped in color and I began to notice details that I’d never seen before. I revived my passion for art, using it as a major form of self-expression, let out my emotions by journaling, and challenged myself by putting in more effort socially. In a few weeks, by merely changing my outlook toward life and searching for my passions I was unrecognizable. Others noticed the difference, but most importantly, I was happier in my skin. I was proud of who I was becoming and woke up every day excited to offer something new to the world and myself. After this shift in my mindset, life didn’t inherently become easier. In 2021, my dad was diagnosed with Leukemia, my grandmother moved in with Dementia, my parents were unable to work, and my family struggled in ways we had never expected. I was incapable of doing some of the things I loved: volunteering, running track, and going out with my family. However, I didn’t, and continue not to, let that hinder me from living the life I desire. I find inspiration in many aspects of my life. This inspiration helps me to create new ideas for my small business, fuel my passion for content creation, begin art projects, and show up for others within my community. Out of everything that inspires me, my favorite quote is from Lao Tzu: “Watch your words; they become actions … it becomes your destiny”. Even though the concept is scary, by merely changing my thought patterns, I am creating my ideal life and living with true intention. As life inevitably gets tougher, I will continue the habits that encourage a positive mindset. Thoughts are the driving force for all of reality and I can design my own by looking at the world through a vibrant lens.