Emily O.
Photography by Katie Fox
If you’re reading this, I want you to know that there is beauty in the struggle.
Sometimes your greatest time of need can help you grow and flourish the most. Those are the times that you will see your true friends come close and love you in the ways you need. Those are the times that you will see sides of yourself that you might not have before but welcome it all in as you step into a new season of growth.
It’s really easy to shy away from the deeper emotions that you might be experiencing, or even to let people in on them. My natural inclination is definitely to put the brave face on and smile, seeking to meet others in their struggles, but never letting them in mine. If you ask anyone, they’ll say that I’m the biggest extrovert who always has a smile on her face. This is definitely true most of the time, but that doesn’t mean I don’t experience my own waves of doubt or anxiety. I easily run away from letting people see this side of me, whether it's out of fear that I’ll lose their respect or shatter this “picture-perfect” image that I feel I’ve tried to maintain in their minds. But I fail to realize that letting those trusted people in on the difficult times is what creates an environment of vulnerability and growth for myself and others.
College is a prime example of this, especially in your freshman year. You are surrounded by people who don’t truly know you yet and it’s easy to internalize your struggles, shutting others out. But I highly encourage you to be brave and let others in. Seek help. Be real. The struggles and fears you have are valid and part of the experience of being yourself. Speaking from experience, others will feel honored to be included in your journey and it will only create more space for others to experience the freedom and growth of vulnerability. Celebrate who you are, through the good times and the bad, and you’ll be amazed to see how far that’ll take you.
Emily O., Wake Forest
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