Ella M., Incarnation Catholic School
Building a Foundation
“All levels of change are useful in their own way. The problem is the direction of change.” James Clear (Atomic Habits) This quote basically is saying, it doesn’t matter what habit you set, it just matters how much change it’s causing in your life. When you set a habit, you want to make it possible to accomplish. It can be something as easy as writing down your homework, grades, and assignments every day. All it matters is if you can see a difference and you pick up what that habit is starting.
Laying a foundation can be difficult. In my life, it can be hard to do anything with my ADHD. It makes me a better person. When I was first diagnosed with it, I hated myself. It made me feel like I was stupid and couldn’t do anything so, I didn’t try. It’s been almost 4 years since and I’ve learned that it’s not a curse, but a gift that makes my life so much better. I set habits constantly because it’s harder to stay focused and remember to do certain things, like chores. I’ll write them down on a Post-It Note and keep it with me, and I’ll write it on my mirror in the bathroom. My excuse for everything is, “I forgot”. I want to break that habit and admit to when I’ve done something wrong. I’ll learn to stop before I say it and be less impulsive. My family and friends help so much. Especially my mom, she may nag and pester me sometimes and I may yell and get annoyed but she’s my favorite person in the world, I love her with my whole heart, and I couldn’t ask for a better mom. My sister is another person that means the world to me. She helps with the anything and everything. Even if she lives in Idaho, she always has time to check up on me.
My goal in life is to help others in whatever way possible. I’m an empathetic person and I love to help in whatever way possible. I’ll get into a good college and study for what I want to do, and I’ll achieve these goals even if it takes years. No matter what, I won’t stop trying. I’ve learned how difficult life can tear someone down and how much anxiety, depression, and ADHD affects someone. This is why I want to help people. I know what it’s like to go through that and I don’t want someone else to go through that if I can help it. I will help in whatever way I can. I’ll follow in my sister’s footsteps and become a social worker, or I’ll take my own path, but no matter what I do, I’ll try my hardest to help. So, building a foundation and achieving these goals is a difficult thing to do, but don’t quit. You’ve got this. I believe in you.
