I am a generally uptight person who likes to have control of my life. Recently I have been a bit trapped by expectations I feel other people put on me. After consulting my therapist (one of my friends) we decided I should make a list of things I want to do in order to break out of my shell. I wrote said list one night while I was struggling to fall asleep.
After a night of comedy shows (Liquid Fun and The Daily Show’s Jessica Williams) I was a bit hyper and eager to explore. My friend Bronsen suggested venturing down town. I assembled a group, who also happen to be my roommates for next year, and we set on our way.
We got outside of Warren Towers and didn’t know where to go: downtown, Cambridge, Coolidge Corner? I chose Cambridge because I hadn’t crossed the river since before I arrived at BU. We walked on a beautiful night through Kenmore square, across the bridge measured in smoots (a unit of measurement conceived by MIT students). We, particularly I, goofed off the whole way and just enjoyed each others’ company.
We walked through MIT and found a sculpture that made me feel smarter just looking at it (see picture). After another 20 minutes or so we arrived at Harvard. I remember saying “my IQ went up five points just looking at the brick buildings”. After walking for almost an hour, we decided to find somewhere to sit. There we talked about life, sang songs, and improvised ice skating on a still-melting patch of ice.
After we Uber’d home to Warren, I sat down at my desk and took out my journal where I had written down my “To-Do List”. I checked off “go on an unplanned adventure”. I really enjoyed not knowing every step of the night and on a whim deciding to go straight or turn left at a light. For someone who has everything from homework assignments to television shows programmed in her calendar, I think I handled not have a plan very well. I embraced it and I have no regrets.
College is a place for self-discovery. Its important to step out of your comfort zone. I am trying to do that, and will continue checking things off my list in search of a better me. Each item represents something I am afraid of. Overcoming those fears will open myself up to new opportunities. “Try a food you’re afraid to eat” may just lead to a new favorite food. Its important to get out there and see the wonderful world around.
