I like to think of myself as someone who has an open mind and is always ready for new experiences. This is much easier said than done. I am guilty of letting fear or pride dictate my decisions. However, I have found that many of the things that scare me also interest me. Forcing myself out of my comfort zone has allowed me the chance to travel, learn, and grow.

1. Go to school in Oregon

Growing up in a small town in Georgia, I never thought I would end up at a school over 2,000 miles from home and in a state where I didn't know a single person. This experience has definitely had its ups and downs but I feel that I am becoming more myself every day.

2. Change my major and then change it again.

High school me thought she knew exactly what she was doing and would be in that small percentage of people who did stick with their initial major. High school me was naive. I believe I have, at one point or another, declared a major in cinema studies, photography, English, Education, and then English again. I think my current major, Journalism, is going to stick but I had to learn something about myself before I could make it to this point. Change is necessary for growth.

3. Go to Italy as an Au Pair

A friend of the family recommended me as a nanny to work for their former exchange student in the summer of 2016. The only Italian I knew were words concerning pasta and cheese but I hopped on a plane to Milan anyway. It was this trip that taught me how to travel by myself and to pursue adventure even when it is daunting.

4. Speak at a funeral

In 2016 I had 3 grandparents pass away. It felt like the floor had been pulled out from under me. My grandmother passed away on New Year's Eve of last year and I was fortunate enough to be home for her funeral. I faced a fear of public speaking (and public crying) and was able to reflect and talk about our time together amongst my friends and family.

5. Join a sorority

I grew up with a prejudice against sororities. I thought I would never find my place in that setting. This past spring I was proven completely and utterly wrong. I joined Gamma Phi Beta and I have never felt more at home. The women in my chapter are driven, empowered, unique, and kind. It is here that I have met my true and constant friends. (Who knew being wrong would be so much fun?)

6. Drive across the country

Last summer my saint of a mother drove me and all of my belongings from Gainesville, GA to Eugene, OR. If you had asked me a few years before if I thought I would spend 7 days trekking through rural Arkansas and Idaho I would have answered with a firm and resounding “No.” Getting to do this trip reminded me of how vast, diverse, and beautiful our country really is.

7. Travel with my best friends

To travel is a privilege and I never thought I would have the opportunity to get to do it with two of my best friends. Since graduation a year and a half ago, my friends, Sloan and Joy and I have been fortunate enough to travel together on several occasions. Traveling, when done correctly, is an eye-opening experience. Getting to see the world through a different lens alongside your best friends is quite special (even if you get locked in hotel rooms, almost lose passports, and leave valuables in cabs on the way).

8. Study Art

I have always enjoyed art. I have always done art, but for some reason, I never felt that I was allowed to call myself an artist. As a society, we appreciate art but not those who wish to create it or study it. I used to be hesitant to pursue a degree in art because I knew people would ask “Are you sure? Do you really want to be a starving artist?” I have always downplayed my passion I was afraid of not being taken seriously, but art is important to me and has played a crucial role in my education. I am learning to become proud of my artwork as well as my title of artist.

9. Run a 10k

Now I know that 6.2 miles is hardly a great distance but running a 10k is something I never thought was in the cards for me. If you know me, you know I’m not exactly what you would call a “natural athlete” but with lots of encouragement and some tough love, I ran the whole race with my mom in the pouring rain. Many races and a brief stint on the cross country team later and I am still not the most avid runner but I am healthier and a harder worker because of it.

10. Spend Christmas in the coldest town in the continental U.S.

My family is rather extreme when it comes to our holiday traditions. In recent years, we have opted for travel rather than gifts. Several Christmases ago, my sister said that she wanted a white Christmas so my Dad looked up the coldest place in America and decided that International Fall, Minnesota was our Christmas destination. We spent Christmas snowshoeing over a frozen lake in -26-degree weather. It remains my favorite Christmas.