Ziwoo H.
Photography by Hannah Facenda
If you’re reading this, it’s okay to be afraid.
Many people say “don’t be afraid” as encouragement. There is nothing wrong with that, but sometimes even those simple words add to the struggle you are going through.
Whenever I’m afraid or worried, it often feels like I’m already failing just for feeling that way. As an overthinker, I would always plan ahead, imagine things that are unlikely to happen, and envision worst-case scenarios before starting something. This anxiousness leads to being afraid even to take a first step.
Coming to the States for the first time for college, far from home, required facing the unknown. I didn’t know anyone around Boston; everything was new, and I had to adjust to a new culture, without my parents or friends. The primary emotion I felt during my first year was fear: fear of not being able to get used to life in the States, not being able to succeed academically, not being able to fit in the community, and most of all, the fear of being the only person feeling afraid and falling behind.
Of course, everything is uncertain, and college is new to everyone. That is why people say to explore as much as you can during freshman year. However, the fear clouded my vision and stopped me from trying new things. I didn’t know it back then, but it’s important to face your fears and be afraid.
I wouldn’t say the fear is gone simply because it is my third year in college. There are still tons of uncertainties, and I feel afraid of them. However, now I tend to think more positively and optimistically about it; I shift the ideas of “what if I can’t” or something negative to “ I can do this” or focus on what I can achieve and learn from it. The more I experience and face new challenges, the more I come to the realization that everything depends on how you think. Although fear is a painful emotion, it can reveal how you are given the opportunity to navigate and open a new door for your future.
Fear is not a flaw. In fact, it’s a sign that you are just a human who is trying. It’s a natural response to stepping into the unknown, to facing change, to imagining what might go wrong. When you’re afraid, you’re not failing - you’re simply feeling. And feelings, even uncomfortable ones, are part of the journey. It is important to be true to your emotions.
Being afraid is a segment of you, which would not heavily impact you, but rather proves that you are trying and have a desire to put in effort. You have the freedom to decide how to respond to that fear. There is absolutely no wrong answer. Like everyone has different faces, we all have different ways to cope with the distress.
So, if you are reading this, please remember that it is okay to be afraid. It's just the beginning of your journey, this chapter in your life, and you are always enough just as you are. It is okay to take a break. It is okay to take a step back or even avoid it for a little while. The most important thing is choosing the right thing for you; not to match the standards or expectations of others, but for the result YOU would be satisfied with, and the journey you would actually enjoy.
Talk to yourself like you would to a friend! And take care of yourself, always.
Ziwoo H., Boston College
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