Millions of paths in life, which will you choose and will you be happy with it? Forcing college and the military onto me my parents have made it clear they want me to choose one and this changed my mind making me different from the rest.

Throughout my life, since I was young my parents always talked about college. Once I got older the military was also brought into the conversation. Not being a big fan of school I never actually had an interest in going to college. Growing up everyone said you need college to be successful, school is the only way to have a bright future, etc. I refuse to believe that. I'm going to do something unique whether it's working for myself, traveling the world, or pursuing one of my passions. I have yet to figure out how but I will. I measure success by the work I put in and the outcome of how I'm feeling. I am not worried about money. I am worried I won't be doing something I love.

 Before quarantine started, sitting in the living room with the fire burning, “Son you must go to college, or the military. I don't care how much you're making or what you're doing, it is a must.” My mom said firmly. My Dad sitting on the couch nodding his head agreeing with her. I said back, “but mom I hate school, I'm going to be successful another way.” My mom said… “how?” Silence filled the air. I honestly didn't have a response. I just said, “You're wrong and I will show you!” I went upstairs and it was the end of that.

As I was growing up I saw people living their best life and didn't even go to school. For example, a YouTuber Danny Duncan gets to live freely and make his own choices, his own schedule, and do his own things for a job. I want something like this. I always dreamed of doing something with social media. I tried youtube when I was younger but my mom made me stop because I was too young. 

There was a new social media app, Tik Tok. I used the app for over a year. I saw these people with everyday lives turn into influencers. One day my friend taught me how to do my first transition. I practiced all night and finally made one I liked. I decided to post it. When I posted it I enjoyed the feedback. I decided I wanted to become an influencer. I told people I was going to start posting every day. Everyone told me I couldn't do it. My friend who used the app was creating content and I asked him about it. He told me to believe in myself and work hard. I was very sensitive to hate and didn't do well with it. Throughout my time on the app, I learned to overcome it and use it as motivation. Working hard every day for 3 months in a row, posting multiple times a day, and coming up with creative ideas everyday. I would make videos using sounds and add comedy to the videos or make it relatable. I gained over 110,000 followers. I reached a point I was happy and proud of the work I put in. I'm on a break right now.

After reaching this point I proved everyone wrong. People who once doubted me were now congratulating me on my success. Realizing hard work and determination pays off. I saw I can do more than prove people wrong about becoming an influencer but I can prove people wrong about anything I work hard for. College and the military will not be in my future and I will prove my parents wrong, as long as I work hard and put my mind to what I want to achieve.