For the longest time, I've been an introvert. I didn't want to do anything and would rather sit at home watching TV. Dealing with the pandemic reinforced the idea of being at home and being inactive. As I got older, I was still introverted, but I was becoming more comfortable talking with friends and doing fun activities that I wouldn't normally do.

During the summer of 2025, I visited my friend in Idaho, whom I only get to see during the summer. He hadn't changed much since the year before. He still had his same old straight black hair, he was still short for his age, and his silly yet charming smile. He was still an outgoing person, but he got bored easily, just like he used to. We were both very excited to see each other because we hadn't seen each other for a full year. On the second day of my visit with family, my friend came over to my grandma's house for a sleepover. At the beginning of our hangout, we were having fun, but after some time passed, we got bored. We were deciding what to do and eventually decided to get snacks. Through all of this, I wasn't being my authentic self, being introverted. It became easier as time went on, but it was still difficult.

While we were at the store getting snacks, he was still bored. I wanted to show him how you can make anything fun if you know how. I started pointing out weird and unusual things. After that, things just clicked. I was more comfortable being my true, outgoing self. I finally noticed all the changes that had happened over the years, from going from an introvert to an extrovert. I started living life to the fullest, taking every day as the last. Later in the week, when we hung out again, I didn't let my fears control me.

We went mini golfing, go-karting, and even went on a virtual roller coaster. Every time we did, we were the loudest ones there, making sure that everyone around us knew we were having fun.

After I came back home to Washington after my three-week visit, it was hard to be outgoing again. School started, and I didn’t have as many opportunities to do certain activities with my friends anymore because there aren’t very many things to do in my town. I made a small promise to myself that I would continue to do activities that sparked my interest and made me come out of my shell, so I could enjoy the time I have because you can never get it back. After these events, I am no longer the same person I once was, but a shadow of my former self.

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