Finding Yourself Through Like-Minded Individuals

Growing up introverted is an isolating experience. Throughout much of my life, I struggled with who I was, and it took a lot of experimenting to start putting the pieces together. Part of that experimentation came from observing and learning from the people around me. Many of my peers were instrumental in my progress, and I would not be the person I am today without them.

That being said, introversion does come with some perks, as when I was a kid, I would often spend my days reading through comics, watching movies and TV shows, and various other forms of entertainment that I could enjoy by myself without having to feel judged by others. One figure, in particular, who still remains a constant beacon for both morals and who I am to my core is Spider-Man. He is the epitome of good and is everything someone should strive to be, but more importantly, he’s human. Under the mask is Peter Parker, an imperfect person with common struggles, and his humanity and groundedness meant everything to me because I saw him as a mirror of myself.

I should note that it’s not just fictional characters; however, as many have paved their way into my life, whether they have remained or left, they have still made their mark. More recently, my time in college has completely changed who I am. Three people, in particular, are the pinnacle of humanity in my eyes. They are steadfast and confident in who they are and what they stand for, so much so that they hoisted me up to their level and created room for introspection and a safe space for expression. Without them, I would never have become comfortable with myself and created an environment where I could freely be who I wanted to be without fear of judgment. However, that fear still remains; it will always be a part of me, but I am to the point now where the fear no longer matters. I refuse to be pulled down by what I am afraid of if it means losing a part of myself.

That’s where the National Millennial and GenZ Community comes in. This community has felt like a natural evolution of this thought process. It is a community that evokes introspection and thought. Through talking with executives and the students around us, we engage in conversations in which we aim to make our community better and more inviting, and one of the biggest and most important aspects to me is the fact that these communities directly correlate to the fields I wish to get into. NMGZ stands as a beacon of good in a sea of doubt, which is what I have needed most going into my future career.