I’ve always been an overthinker for as long as I can remember—not that it’s ever done me much good.

When I was about ten, during recess, I remember standing at the top of a wet, rocky hill, watching my friends run down without a thought. As much as I wanted to join them, I couldn’t. The ground was loose, unpredictable—I was sure I’d fall and get hurt.

But the others were fearless; their laughter echoing up the hill. I wanted that feeling of freedom, but fear held me still.

Then, I broke my most sacred code… acting without thinking!  

I bolted toward my friends like a bullet—and slipped. Immediately.

The dust, noise, and blur of motion felt endless. It was chaos, but also release.

When I reached the bottom, scraped and covered in dirt, my friends were there. My hands stung, my heart raced—but I was finally laughing too.