When I was getting ready to move into college nearly eight months ago, I never really thought I would pursue theater as much as I did in high school. But at the same time, I didn't know what else I would ever be passionate about. I never played sports, I wasn't on student council and I wasn't on the math team.
Theater was the only thing I did in high school. I absolutely loved it and dedicated the majority of my free time to it. Everyone would ask me, "Are you going to do theater in college?" or "Do you think you'll keep acting after high school?"
My answer was always the same. I would tell them I didn't plan on it or that I wasn't really sure. I would tell everyone theater wasn't a big thing at my college. But, every time I gave that answer, I would be disappointed in it.
If I didn't do theater in college, what was I going to do?
I think at some point between the transition from high school to college, or during any other transition in life, we lose touch with parts of us that used to be so important. Whether it be going from being a high school star athlete to not being on a team in college or being on- stage for every musical in high school to never being under the lights anymore, we all lose interest in things eventually. It may be attributed to age and growing up, moving, or new people we meet.
No matter what you've lost touch with, disconnecting with your once- interests isn't a bad thing. That means you have room to be in love with something else. Once you get to college, you'll most likely join clubs, meet an entirely new group of people who will introduce you to so many new things, and you'll begin to discover what you're meant to do.
As sad it may be, your experiences and lessons you learned in earlier phases in your life will teach you how to carry on with the next path you travel down. For me, being in the theater gave me skills that I have to use every day in my classes. Sometimes, if you're lucky, what you're involved in in high school will show you what you're meant to do for the rest of your life.
So if it comes the time when you feel yourself slipping away from something that you used to love, or lose interest in it... it's okay. Don't get too discouraged. Because during the next few years, you'll find a passion you never knew you would have and it will excite you just as much, if not more.
I know what it feels like. When I stopped doing theater I never thought I would enjoy something as much as being on stage under the lights. Now, I have a love for writing for newspapers and being in front of a camera during a news broadcast. Your lost passions will turn into something else, don't worry. Keep an open mind and be willing to try new things because if you don't expose yourself to a variety of things, you won't be able to find which one is made for you.
