It is never easy, even if the step is small. But the important thing is that you do it anyway. This looks different for everyone and everyone will do it at their own pace. That’s more than okay! Never stop asking questions, exploring the world, and taking exciting opportunities.
When I was your age, I sat in that very same library reading some of the very same books as you. Those stories taught me how neat the world outside of Mukilteo is. I dreamed of visiting New York City like Percy Jackson and London like Harry Potter (Hogwarts, too, of course). In middle school and high school, I took trips to each of those places. Each trip was further out of my comfort zone, but I grew from each of them, so I was ready for the next big step. I kept reading books that brought me to new places, real and imaginary, from the comfort of the school library or my bedroom at home. Reading books about people different from you will help you “walk in the footsteps of a stranger,” too!
I wish you all the best of luck on all the beautiful adventures you will embark on, whether out in the world or in the pages of a book. Never stop learning, never stop reading, and your world will never stop getting cooler and more exciting!
