I wrote my first novel and put it out into the universe. It was terrifying—and STILL is. But if I’ve learned anything, it’s that your art is not necessarily good or bad, but either for someone or not for someone. And the few that have read it have left wonderful reviews, which has made it worth it!

The biggest risk I ever took was quitting a great job in the UK to go and see my lovely grandma in Australia, who was in the final few weeks of her life.

I had no back up plan, but it was a very easy decision, and one I look back on now with real pride. The whole family sang lots of songs, made each other laugh constantly, and waved her off onto whatever's next. Rest easy, my darling x

In high school somebody asked if I had feelings for them and I lied by saying no, worried about what people would think. I then took the biggest risk of my life by apologizing and confessing to her. We just celebrated our honeymoon :))

7 years ago I took a risk and accepted a teaching assistant position in France for a year. I loved the country, but I loved teaching even more. 5 years ago I moved across the US to teach in New Orleans, a place I'd never been, on a temporary teaching license.

One week ago, I received my M.Ed. I am still teaching at the school where I started in 2021. I've had my ups and downs, but I know that I am doing exactly what I was put on this earth to do. Here's to a good 2025-2026!

The biggest risk I took that really paid off was asking for help with my depression. I had been hiding it for years and was too afraid to trust anyone with knowing I was depressed. But eventually I felt it was necessary and told my school social worker, even though I was thoroughly terrified. And you know, that saved my life.

I changed my major in my freshman year of college. I spent all of high school pouring my entire life into my future goals. Worked crazy hours and did so much to make this crazy resume. Dedicated my entire teen years to what I thought was my calling in life. But when I got to college, got into the program and sat down in my first class, I felt this huge pit in my stomach telling me I was in the wrong place. Tried to stick it out, but was MISERABLE. I finally broke down and admitted to my parents I was unhappy, changed my major, and my life trajectory changed for the better. I met my current partner in my new major, made life long friends, and found my real passion. I spent so long dedicated to the first thing because I was always good at it and “known” for it, not because it actually brought me joy. I learned that allowing myself to let go of what I had decided was my future, gave me a better future than I could have ever hoped for.

I am quite a risk averse person, and historically have been somewhat self-conscious about my appearance - so every time I make a change in my appearance, it feels like a big risk. I recently dyed my hair pink after asking everyone if I should do it for literally years, and I love it! The biggest lesson each time I change my appearance is that 1) other people do not pay as much attention to me as I think they do and 2) if they notice they almost always like it, because I like it!

After I graduated high school, I chose to take a gap year in order to volunteer full-time at my local Habitat for Humanity chapter. It was super scary to do something so outside the academic expectations that had been set for me, but honestly it was the best decision I could have ever made. Not only did I learn how to build a house (which as it turns out, involves learning a lot of useful skills), but I also started to see myself in a new light—as someone who can do hard things, lead a team of people, and create something worthwhile with my own two hands.

I did a creative writing pre-college program this summer! I was super nervous about it, but I have made some of the most amazing friends I've ever had and got super inspired!

My school has a jazz band and a lot of my friends were in it last year. They had jazz band night in April and my dad encouraged to me to go. I was a little nervous about going because I didn’t really like jazz but I ended up having a fun night with my friends!