As a teen living in a small town, I had always dreamt about moving to the big city, New York City. It sounds corny, I know, but it was my dream. I dreamt about seeing all the Broadway shows, about reading at Central Park, about all the noise and the people. Well, dreams and hopes are one thing, as reality is much harder.

I had a tough time in my teenage years. Me and the other girls in my school never really got along. I remember being made fun of because of my appearance, my family, and my dreams. This was one of the things about the city that appealed to me. Where I grew up, seeing these girls was inevitable. There was no other school, and I saw them all around town.

Getting lost in a big city is exactly what I wanted. I wanted to run from my complicated life, and start fresh, where the chances of meeting someone I know are minor. I needed to leave my past behind in my small home town.

I remember this one extremely difficult day, in which I fought with the only friend I had. I just felt so alone, misunderstood, unloved. I gave up and decided it was time to do something. So, I packed a bag and, at night, went to the train station. That day, everything seemed like it has no meaning, even my dreams. I gave up on my dream destination and just hopped on the first train I saw.

I didn’t care where it went, as long as it was far from my town. When the train had reached its final destination, I didn’t want to get off. I wanted to go even further; To get to the city of my dreams. I returned home the following day to my worried and upset parents. The only thing that motivated me to keep going was my dream, and thankfully, I was able to make it my reality.

Don’t give up on your dreams or believing in them and yourself. You can achieve them once you put your all into them.