Moliere once said, “The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.” It’s never a walk in the park for an average person to overcome something that has been gnawing at their every move. Everyday there are countless people that are locked up behind their own bars of guilt and worry. Even the unknowing of how life would be if they were different in some way. I on the other hand have defied odds and made a difference for myself as a person to this day. My problem that I have struggled with throughout my childhood is considered insignificant and even pointless. But it has been with me no matter what I have done or tried, almost like chills running down your spin. The monster that I have overcome is being shy. All of my peers claim that being shy is just a faze, and isn't something that affects everything you do and are as a person. But I would beg to differ in so many ways. I have had many steps to overcoming this struggle that has changed me as a person for the rest of my life. Although the times have been very tough, I always have prevailed and got through them. Being shy isn't something that affects many people, but it is what has made me who I am now.
     Over the years I noticed my climate point of breaking in the second grade. It just like any other day for the kids at my elementary school. Most of the kids would rant about how they wanted to go outside and play Zombie Tag together, but I on the other hand didn't mind staying inside and being on my own. For some reason I just felt more comfortable that way. Countless times I caught myself crouching down trying to hide so I wouldn't have to get called on in class or even picked to be on a team for gym. The little things gave me anxiety all the time while growing up. My teachers attempted to convince me that it is alright to express myself, but I could never really get my mind wrapped around that point. Still to this day I sometimes overlook those special quotes from my teachers that attempted to help me. My shyness grew more and more noticeable as I grew older.
     I began to be distant from all of my friends like I became invisible. Also I began worrying about every little detail that could possibly go wrong if I drew any type of attention to myself. Whenever I finished class assignments first I would wait until I seemed close to being the last person still working to finally turn it in. That is because I became afraid to be labeled as the smart person, or even someone that people ask questions. I could feel myself distancing myself from others like a helium balloon slipping out of a child's grasp. It even got to the point where I stopped challenging myself to my academic standards that I was capable of. I prayed everyday that the next day would be better, and that I wouldn't have to socialize with anyone around me. My emotions were like a roller coaster but more low than high.
     The weight of understanding my struggle got lighter but never easier. Being in denial about being shy didn't help matters anyways. If anything it made it worse, and sent me into a different world that I was not comfortable being in. My feelings weren't necessarily considered depression but they were pretty close. Although being shy has played a big factor in my life, I overcame it by doing the things I love and being proud of it. I joined Basketball, Soccer, Dance, and soon Volleyball as a way to express myself without using words. Whenever I stepped onto that court, field, and stage I transformed into a completely new and confident person. As time went on and I kept practicing and challenging myself, I soon became someone that I never once thought could ever be inside of a shy human being like me. I opened myself up more frequently to my peers, successfully got requested to be in honors classes, and even became known as the person that people come to for advice. My stress blew away like a feather on a windy day. My life has changed dramatically as soon as the light bulb clicked that I am who I am and I should just be proud of it.
     Kendall Jenner once stated, “It's true, I used to be so shy. I used to never talk, just sit back and do my thing. I was never bullied, though, and it was never like it was something that needed to be 'fixed,' like being shy is a bad thing.”  Not once in my life did I foresee or consider that I was capable of achieving what I have overcome today. I am a new person battling whatever comes my way with both hands down because I am not afraid anymore. I have changed for the better, and I wouldn't change anything even if I could. I am asked everyday if I would take back my struggles but my answer is no. I wouldn't be anywhere near the person I am today if it wasn't for being shy most of my life. I bloomed and opened up for the first time in all my years of life. Most people think that they need to change to become the person that everyone wants them to be, but that is not the case.