By Aashna Shah
Everyone has a dream they have never told anyone about.
Maybe it is starting a business, auditioning for something intimidating, writing a story, creating art, joining a team, applying for a leadership position, or simply becoming a different version of themselves. The dream exists quietly, and so does the fear that comes with it.
What if people judge me?
What if I fail?
What if everyone sees me try and I am not good enough?
For many teenagers, the fear of failure is not the hardest part. It is the fear of being seen failing.
In a world where achievements are constantly displayed, trying without immediate success can feel embarrassing. Social media often shows the final product: the award, the acceptance letter, the finished project, the perfect performance. What people rarely see are the attempts before success, the mistakes, the rejected ideas, and the moments of uncertainty.
As a result, many teenagers learn to protect themselves by never beginning.
It can feel safer to say, “I was never interested,” than to admit, “I wanted to try, but I was afraid.” Avoiding failure can become a way of avoiding judgment. But in protecting ourselves from disappointment, we can also prevent ourselves from discovering what we are capable of.
Aashna Shah is an Indian American sophomore at Syosset High School interested in business and storytelling. She hopes to use the Kaleidoscope as a pathway to uplift underserved communities. She serves as the Submission Coordinator for Kaleidoscope, where she helps curate and elevate youth voices through storytelling.
