It’s definitely a top-of-a-roller-coaster-feet-hanging-off-the-edge feeling when you find yourself at a new beginning. They can be absolutely terrifying at times, where you’re questioning how you even thought that this was a good idea to start, and are quickly thinking of a way to get off this insane, death trap of a ride.

Standing in line, posting obnoxiously on your snap story, you haven’t been paying attention to your steady progression, and now find yourself 5 minutes from the front of the line. You look at your friend, blame her for “talking you into this”, and smile nervously at the overly friendly lady working the switches for the gate.

Starting something for the first time can be one of the worst, best times of your life. You will no doubt feel unrealistic amounts of anxiety. You’ll day dream and create expectations in your head of what this new adventure will be like, and it’ll hurt when you feel disappointed it didn’t go exactly to “plan”. You’ll have a fear of the unknown, you’ll be nervous for what’s to come, but there will also be an inner flame of excitement that you need to feed into. No matter how uneasy you are, finding that piece of you that’s ready for your next step in life will get you through any dark days or sleepless nights.

As you’re climbing the hill, hearing the steady clicks on the track as you climb higher and higher, your emotions build. Your sweaty palms are causing your hands to slip a little too much for comfort and you start to feel that churro you ate 20 minutes ago.

One of the hardest parts of a beginning is getting there, and getting started. You’ll hit more road blocks and obstacles than you thought possible, and at times you may think to yourself that it’s not worth it to keep going. “Why am I putting myself through all of this?”. It’s disheartening to struggle and question yourself, but it is important to realize, you’re always going to. You know that saying, “nothing worth having ever comes easy”? Yeah, it’s SO true! The best things in life are the ones you work hard and sacrifice for.

You’re at the top, and no matter what direction you’re looking at you see the tops of things. You feel your heartbeat in your toes, which is racing, and have to focus on your breathing to keep from passing out. Your friend, whom you now resent and question your entire history of friendship, sticks out her hand and you latch on with your sweaty claw. And you drop.

Taking a chance on yourself may feel like the riskiest move in the book, and it just might be. But this is your life to live, and it’s too short to not take chances, start new things, and do something you absolutely love. Starting over, or starting in a new place, might be one of the hardest things (to date) you’re going to do. When you hit those obstacles, just grab some comfort food and your BFF and remember they aren’t permanent. Believe in yourself and your goals, take chances on new beginnings, and remember how amazing it is to feel the wind on your face when you’re flying through the air.

Two minutes later, after loops and twists and turns and a halting stop, you’re smiling at your best friend, anticipating the embarrassing picture waiting for you down the hall, and any fear you had was left back at the top.