Whenever I am stressed about school or anything going on in my life, which is a lot of things, I like to set long term goals for myself and plan for the future. This can include anything from watching Yes theory on youtube and realizing I need to change my mindset on certain things, to researching colleges I might be interested in, to planning my upcoming summer. I don’t necessarily like that I do this because then I get angry when things change and I don’t accomplish what I want, but I can't help it.
Summers have always been something that was planned out for me for a long time. I went to Eagles Landing camp here for 5 summers, and then I went to sleep away camp for 5 summers, with some family trips sprinkled in there. However, once I stopped going to camp, last summer, I didn’t know what to do anymore. It stressed me out because the last thing I want to do is stay home for the whole time. I hate the summers in Florida, and I love trying new things and most importantly meeting new people. Last summer I went on a BBYO summer program that I decided to go on super last minute in Montreal. This was one of the best experiences I have had and made me question why I wasted all of my years before doing the same thing. This summer I wanted to do something different, but when I couldn’t make up my mind, I decided on another BBYO summer program. Then Covid hit the US, canceling everything that I had got myself excited for. I then spent the entire summer working at a restaurant, which I really enjoyed, doing school work, taking a college class, and by the end playing soccer. All I can think about is the fact that next summer I NEED to do something very different than I have ever done before.
That then leaves me with two options, one being practical and the other being borderline psychotic. My safe option is to go on a BBYO summer program in Israel. It wouldn’t be a leadership one that I have done previously, but just a 3 or 4 week trip traveling all over Israel. BBYO was also donated a lot of money for kids going on Israel programs, so if I sign up soon, I can get $3,000 off a trip. The trip sounds like so much fun, and I would go with my best friend, but I don’t think that it is what I want to do. It doesn’t fit my criteria of doing something different that I have never done before since I went on the 8th grade Israel trip.
The real thing that I want to do this summer is go backpacking in the mountains out west, either in Colorado, Northern California, Oregon, or Washington. Coming from someone who lives in South Florida, this seems VERY impractical considering I have zero hiking experience. I have no idea why this is what I want to do, but it is, and I can’t not think about it. I have been trying to push myself to stop doing everything in my small bubble and venture out as much as possible. I switched clubs in soccer this year after being on the same team for 5 years, and this was one of the best decisions I have ever made. That makes me want to do this program even more because I have such a strong desire to “seek discomfort.” This is the motto of my favorite people on youtube, YES Theory, who live their lives doing things they never thought they would or could do and then having a meaningful experience to learn from. That is what I want to do, and I know that if I am stuck here or do the backup plan because it is easier, I will not be happy with myself. I will regret not taking the opportunity if I have it.
Hi Olivia, I totally agree with you about wanting to try new things and meet people in the summer. I'm not a big fan of just staying in Florida either. I thought what you said about seeking discomfort was really interesting and helped me look at what activities I might want to do, in the future, in a different way. The most hiking I've done was on the 8th grade Israel trip, so I relate! I think that the backpacking experience sounds so fun, though, so if you do it, I hope you enjoy it!
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