Since the start of this new school year of college, I have changed a lot and I can honestly admit it’s for the better. I honestly feel like a new person that has been trying to crawl out of this shell I've been stuck in since I was a young one. A lot of teenagers and adults suffer with problems of anxiety and depression and such. And I can say I have been fighting a battle since I was a young kid. I didn't talk much of my childhood and I cried a lot because I was scared of the world and people and leaving the house. For example, going to birthday parties scared me to death. I followed my mom around everywhere and she considered me her shadow. I never knew I was trying to escape this shell, but now I know I was because I have escaped it. I finished high school, which I wouldn't consider bad years of my life but I never had a big group of friends and wanted to talk to people because I was too shy. My junior year I met a boy and he made me start to enjoy life more and I actually liked interacting with people especially his friends. He made and still makes me feel special and has helped me along the way to love life more. When we graduated, I was so scared for what was coming next because I finally made some amazing friends and they were all leaving and starting new lives. I decided to stick around at home because I didn't think I would be able to handle that much change all at once. I wasn't too thrilled about attending Harper, but I made a decision to start off slow and only take 3 classes, 2 of them being amazing art classes. I can honestly say the first few weeks were rough, I was pretty depressed because all of my friends were gone and I once again was too scared to talk to people in my classes. So, my mom wanted me to get a job for. Yes, to have my own money but also to experience the real world. I always snapped at her when she told me to go get a job, but my reasoning was because I was terrified. Adulthood scared the shit out of me because I never really enjoyed my life to the fullest potential so far. So one day I was sick of sitting at home bored and crying because I missed my friends, so I went out there and I got an interview to the first job I applied for, Starbucks! Perfect because who doesn't love Starbucks. Anyways, of course I was so nervous and terrified but hey I was pretty cool under pressure and I got a call back that same day and I was hired! I was thrilled but again scared because from reviews online I knew it wasn't the world's easiest job. Anyways, I started working there and just fell in love with the environment and the coffee and the down to earth employees. They were all so nice to me and always pointing out that we all make mistakes, which really helped me out. So, I got done training and started working with the customers and I saw myself doing weird things. I was actually talking to people! CRAZY. So my goal was to try and make each person that comes into the store happy or smile and I will continue to do that. I've even noticed myself talking to strangers out in public, sometimes having them think I've got some weird social problem because our society is weird and doesn't appreciate nice people! So, I've fallen in love with this job, that is not at all easy but worth it. I have talked to each employee and loved each one no matter the age. So, I've crawled out of that little shell of mine and instead of being that angry teenage who swore a little too much, I've turned into this young lady that now loves people and loves talking and learning and just fucking living on earth. (I may still swear a little, hah) But it's hard to describe but I just basically feel. It's like I'm starting to live this life I have and what can I say, it's pretty amazing.