Johnathan Lu

As a kid, I hated to try new things. Why would I do something different if I’ve already found something I liked? I hated being outside. It was always hot and itchy. I hated traveling. Home was fun enough, so why lug the whole family to another city where we may not be safe? (Also my dad would make me write an essay about each vacation. Absolute evil.) I always just stuck to my books and video games, safe inside the house. You can imagine the excitement I had when we got to stay home the whole year for COVID. As I reflect back on my childhood years and the decisions I made, I wish I could tell little me how wrong I was.

With the start of highschool, I opened my horizons a little more. I put myself out there, made friends with people I thought I’d never talk to. And through those amazing friends, I went on road trips to different cities, flew to different states, and explored the world through a different lens.

I’ve even grown attached to some activities that would have never occurred to me as a kid. Coming from a high school with no sports, I shocked myself at the amount of volleyball and pickleball I play. It brings out my competitive spirit and is one of my favorite ways to relax with friends.

As I grow older, I always make sure I’m trying something new. Maybe I’ll hate it as much as I hated vacation essays, but you’ll never know until you try.