Pressure Makes Diamonds 💎💎

"That's a lot of pressure."

"Pressure makes diamonds"

- Volkswagen

The first week of school was rough. Sunday night, I couldn't fall asleep until 11pm because my sleep schedule was messed up. I woke up at 5:30am, drank some protein, and went to the student gym. Of course, it was completely packed! With everyone telling themselves, "This semester I'll finally get in shape!" Of course, Carlos and I knew better 😏😏.

I almost threw up. The combination of accidentally using two scoops of chocolate protein powder (an absolutely terrible flavor🤢), feeling more tired than I had been in months, and being surrounded by sweaty bodies was too much. I wondered if I would be one of the quitters. Carlos and I knew that half the people who showed up to the gym on day 1 would be gone by Friday. The thing we didn't know, is which half I would be a part of.

I've chosen three new skills to develop this semester: French, Ballroom Dance, and Jujitsu. When Friday rolled around, I made it to the gym. But despite that victory, I felt terrible. I walked out of my Jujitsu class ready to quit; I don't particularly like contact sports, and I felt way out of my element. And if Jujitsu left me feeling out of place, ballroom left me feeling hopeless. And to top it off, I ended the day with my French class where I didn't understand a word my teacher said. It felt like the pressure might be too much 😔.

Volkswagen recently released an advertisement titled, "Pressure Makes Diamonds" where they show the pressure that American soccer player Christian Pulisic had as he became a world class athlete. I understand the importance of relaxation and a manageable schedule, but I also understand the power behind the pressure to perform. Do students study more when there's a final exam? They do. It's essential that we judge ourselves by our own expectations, but we can use the pressure from others to reach those expectations.

This first week was hard, but it means that I'm challenging myself. I'm pushing the boundaries of what I'm capable and that is far better than being stagnant.

Don't forget to pressure yourself a little. Apply for a job you're not qualified for. Sign up for a class outside your comfort level. Offer to support a big project. Give a relationship you're unsure about a chance.

Hopefully, consistent pressure, over time, will refine you into the best, most beautiful version of yourself 🌟