Don't put back on the same ol' pair of blue jeans by Taylen

Don't put back on the same ol' pair of blue jeans by Taylen - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

When I was growing up I was quite the stubborn teenager and in my head there was only one path, one way to do things, black and white, good and bad, dark and light. I was set in my ways and when people would offer advice, challenge my view points, or disagree with my opinions I would simply dismiss and disregard the thought and had little to no self improvement for a solid five years. I followed the plan exactly, never wavered, never strayed, and of course I never let myself or anyone else distract me from the plan and in the moment I was quite satisfied with that. I felt comfort in consistency. So the day that quite literally changed my life forever was a day that I will never forget and one that completely destroyed the ten year plan I had stuck to so diligently.
I broke my leg. I snapped it completely in half and while I laid on the floor watching chaos erupt around me I realized that for the first time in my life I was going to have to change the plan. Which, let me tell you, became more of letting go of any one plan and going “with the flow” which was something that I had heavily rejected my entire life. So, I of course sent me into a spiral of doom and forced me to rely on other people in a way I never had before. It was life altering.
One day, as I cried my little eyes out my adopted grandpa came and sat me down and gave me a piece of advice that I only wish I could have told my younger self years before. He looked me in the eyes and he said, “Well if anything this will teach you to never put on the same ol’ pair of blue jeans.” I snorted because what that was supposed to mean I did not know. So he elaborated and told me that life is supposed to be difficult, it is supposed to be hard, to challenge you, to inspire and motivate, but when we chose to put on the same ol’ pair of blue jeans that we miss the whole point.
I had got used to the color, to the cut, they had been well worn, well loved, and worn out. I was not letting life change me, challenge me, or make me a different, better person. I was putting on the same old pair of blue jeans not realizing I had other newer pairs in my closet. From that day forward I have vowed to never put on the same old pair of blue jeans and I could only wonder what would have happened if I had taken that advice earlier.
If I could go back in time I would tell myself to try new things, to be open to new ideas and feedback, to leave my comfort zone, and to let the world change me. It opens your eyes to a whole new world, new experiences and a new version of yourself. It isn’t always easy to step out of your comfort zone, or put on a new pair of jeans, but it is always worth it. If you live your life this way you will never be disappointed and when you look back you will not even recognize the person you have become. So let yourself be changed. Put on the new pair of blue jeans.