Even If You're Afraid by Alyssa

Even If You're Afraid by Alyssa - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

Hey, you. I see you clenching your fists and furrowing your brows. Worrying about something before it happens only puts you through it twice. Let go of the habit of obsessing over endless hypotheticals. Embrace the moment. Learn to continue even when the next steps aren’t planned. I know you love to organize every hour of your day. You’re afraid that if every box isn’t checked, you will fall behind. Pause for a second and remember that life doesn’t always follow a checklist. It’s uncertain, it’s flexible, and most of all, it’s unpredictable. Thrive in that uncertainty and adapt.

Abandon the mindset that you’re unathletic and are bound to fail if you join cross country. I can assure you that isn’t the case. In fact, that assumption couldn’t be further from the truth. In the beginning, you will feel unqualified and out of place. Go to practice anyway. Stop letting worry consume you. Let me describe how it all turns out. Through cross country, you’ve made lifelong friends. The long runs in the summer heat, which once felt like punishment, are now your favorite. You double over in laughter, and your running group cheers each other on when the workout gets hard. You’ve learned to persevere in uncomfortable situations.

The electric atmosphere at the races makes all your worries blow away with the breeze. As you reach the finish line, the cheering approaches you like a wave, washing away any doubts. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone gives you these experiences. With that, I want to emphasize that no one judges you for trying.

In that same vein, continue learning to crochet. It will be difficult and time-consuming at first, but now you fly through the stitches. Don’t be afraid to rewind over and over on the YouTube tutorial. Take notes. Keep practicing. Stop letting your mind wander to the what-ifs and don’t let fear of failing consume you. Even with a mistake, one yank of the yarn gives you a chance to start over.

Right now, I can tell you with certainty that you crochet with confidence. With a hook, yarn, and a dream, you can make any animal imaginable. You are creative and you are capable. You just have to believe and keep going.

So try anyway, even if you’re afraid. Show up. Things always seem impossible until they’re done.