Being on the Border of Fear is Where Growing Begins
When I was 12 years old my mother told me that we were moving to Costa Rica. I did not know as a 12-year-old girl what moving to another country looked like. This helped me grow and change as a person. With this big change in my life, I had to learn to adapt, therefore overcoming new challenges.
It all began when my mom looked at me and asked if I would like to move to a new country called Costa Rica. My mom always asked us stuff like this. I thought she was just trying to make us dream big and use our creative side. I learned not to take it seriously but to go along with it because I don't want to make her feel bad. I told her that would be amazing with the widest smile and we went on going through the motions of moving to a different country. I went along with the dream my mom kept preaching over and over again. I thought she would move on to the next dream soon but I was wrong. As time passed, my family began getting things done for the move that I did not believe was going to happen.
Costa Rica Hot Weather
As we were in the process of moving, we had to get rid of all of our stuff except for what we could fit in a small suitcase. I thought they would say it was a joke any moment. I was getting all new clothes for the hot weather in Costa Rica so I did not mind. We said goodbye to our childhood home; as well as, family and friends. Honestly, I was trying to understand my feelings of excitement, as well as fear. Starting from scratch interested me, but what about saying goodbye to everyone? Moving would mean giving up on what I knew and the life I had created. My foundation, and my security, the world as I knew it was going to change and It was terrifying.
Landing in Costa Rica
As I stepped out of the Costa Rica airport, my mom and dad looked at my brother and I. We started gasping for breath as the hot humid air filled our lungs and felt so heavy. Our parents stayed with us until we got used to breathing. The ride to the hotel was amazing, the trees were big and the scenery looked like it was a jungle we saw in the Jurassic Park movie. I thought I was dreaming; I was ready to hear my alarm for school wake me up, dreading going to school like always. Moving to Costa Rica was like a vacation at first; until we had to go back to life like school, work, and church.
The struggle of adjusting continued to take a toll on me. My social life changed completely from everyday school and neighborhood friends in the U.S. to only the kids that I saw at the church and in an online school in Costa Rica. It was hard for me to socialize and be myself around people because I lost my identity after the move. My personality changed into trying to figure out who I am and where to start. My views about what was important to me and who I was completely changed. This move to Costa Rica, a different country, a different environment, and a whole new world, changed 12-year-old me.
Eventually, I became interested in being social with the kids from my church, and my new friends. I decided I would explore my new home and learn more about Costa Rica’s culture, and take an interest in travel. I learned how to communicate with those around me, gaining confidence in my social skills. The move to a new culture stretched my abilities to connect with others as well as to problem-solve.
Yes, moving away from my safe home and my life was scary. Because of the move, there were downfalls and I had to face new struggles to survive my new environment. But there were also a lot of really good times. I believe this not only stretched me, but it changed me into the person I am today. I had to face my fears to overcome the change and grow into the woman I am today. I believe that in the end, being on the border of fear is where growth begins.
