Pressure

As a young kid, we are led to believe that the only way to get into your dream future, is get Straight A's and do lots of extracurricular activities. And you're going down that path, be careful. I'm not here to stop you or persuade you or to fail all your classes. Just remember this. Don't let people force you into doing things you don't want to do. Here is my story.

When my parents first introduced chess to me, I was amazed. There was so much detail and strategy behind it. I liked it so my parents sent me to a chess class. And then finally a tournament. I was about 10 when this happened. All I remember of this incident was that I hated it. I found no source of joy or fun in those 6 hours in that room. I lost all my games. My parents asked me if I wanted to do another one. I wanted to say no...but I couldn't. I wanted to make myself proud and my parents proud. Even if I hated it. So I went to tournament after tournament, losing and winning and crying each time. The pressure of making my loved ones happy and proud was killing me. I wanted to be good. But, I couldn't.

I went to over 40 tournaments. And they were all hell. Every single one. Last April, I decided I couldn't take it anymore. I was done. No matter how disappointed they are, I would still say no. We got into so many fights and crying fits over chess. To me, it was the worst game in the world. I couldn't handle it. So I called it quits. After that talk, the amount of pressure that lifted off me was amazing. I joined coding in place of that, and I love it. I made lots of programs, even a small choose your adventure game. I realized that in the end, its not about everyone else that matters. Its about you. Don't let other people influence you. If you win, you should be proud of yourself. You should try to make yourself happy first, then move on to others.

Don't succumb to pressure. Gain a hold of your surroundings. And think. Make yourself happy. Not your parents or teachers. Yourself.