Anyone can say the phrase, “there’s more to me than meets the eye.” Looking at me, you can make your assumptions about what I like, what I dislike, how I grew up, what I do in my freetime, etc, and you would obviously know that you may be wrong, or that there’s more to me than you think. Everyone has secret interests they may not want to share with even their closest friends, but I’ve learned that sharing those extra layers can create a better sense of self and further deepen them. I noticed this in my obsession with Hamilton. I am not a theater kid; I’ve never once wanted to be on stage, memorize lines, or sing to an audience, but something about that musical hooked me. Most people that I have shared this with usually think I’m a little weird for liking it, or that my obsession is ridiculous, but eventually it becomes a major part of my personality for them which is good, because it IS a major part of my personality! Sharing this secret interest over the years, though it may sound corny, has reminded me that neither my interests, nor me, have to fit in a box.

I’ve endured a lot of change in my life. The adaptability that came from that was something I couldn’t avoid, and I think that’s where I developed my belief that exposing the deeper layers within yourself makes for a better overall life. Everywhere I go I adapt, but I still always stay true to the deeper parts of my personality and encourage others to do the same. I never force myself into a box. AlthoughHamilton is one small interest of mine, and it’s a little weird and a little niche, it has shown the people I have encountered that there is more to me than meets the eye. Because of that, I realized that my passion for Hamilton has essentially kept me out of whatever box I could have thought I was supposed to be in, and reminds me of the many layers that may be hidden in everyone else around us.