Maggie T.
If you’re reading this, do the thing you think you cannot do.
Self-conscious, anxiety-ridden, and high-strung. These three words were the epitome of my personality for a great portion of my life. I was scared to do anything, constantly worrying about what others thought of me, and apprehensive to step just an inch out of my comfort zone. I hated this version of myself; however, as I entered high school, it seemed to be the only version that existed. Attending the largest high school in the state of South Carolina was daunting, so I often only interacted with my inner circle and did not get involved. Growing up a competitive dancer, I had decided that would be the only extracurricular activity I was involved in. This all changed when schools closed, businesses shut their doors, and the world stopped.
I was sitting in the movie theater with my best friend when school was cancelled for two weeks due to an unknown virus. We cheered for an extra-long spring break and talked about all we were going to do with this extra time. Little did we know what was coming next, and little did I know how much it would change me as a person.
In March of 2020, the world shut down due to the COVID-19 virus, and I was locked inside the four walls of my house. As someone who does not enjoy change, this sudden shift in all I had ever known caused me to spiral. I cried often, continuously asked when the craziness would end, and made myself busy with meaningless tasks in order to cope. One day, my parents sat me down and told me that while this time was unprecedented, I could use it to wallow in my own self-pity or work each day to better myself. Their words made me angry. I stormed off, slammed my door, and cried. Later that same day, my mom sent a screenshot of a quote from Facebook. It was written by Eleanor Roosevelt, and said, “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. Do the thing you think you cannot do.”
That day, my mindset changed. My perspective changed. I changed. It didn’t all happen at once. It was often messy. There were setbacks and failed attempts at becoming a better version of myself, but the important thing was that something in me changed.
The minute my community had risen back to its feet after the detriments of Covid-19, and the school doors opened, I hit the ground running. The confidence I had once lacked was there. The self-doubt that played on repeat in my head was significantly silenced. I continued to perform as a competitive dancer, was crowned Miss Dorman High School 2022, served as student body president, and worked in my community as Miss Spartanburg Teen 2023. My sense of self changed during the COVID-19 shutdown, and the young girl who was anxious, worried, and insecure morphed into a confident and self-assured woman who was aware of her worth. Because of this, I serve on the Clemson Undergraduate Student Senate, am a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, work as a tour guide through the Clemson Guide Association, and serve as Miss Upstate 2025, where I advocate for higher education opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through LIFE programs.
So, to the person out there who cannot seem to find their footing, stop. Look fear in the face. Do the things you think you cannot do.
Maggie T., Clemson University
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