Self-improvement through arts and sports

Sports and arts are two fields that almost seem to trend on opposite sides of the spectrum, but interacting with both of these fields have made for a unique experience that has shaped much of my life. Currently, I am a freshman varsity tennis player for Lamar High School but also attend Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts for creative writing.

Tennis is a sport that I've been playing seriously since I was 12. It’s rigorous, demanding, and time-consuming. You have to practice almost every day and the tournaments often take up the entirety of the weekends. But the benefits more than outweigh the drawbacks. Tennis is an incredibly mentally challenging and exhausting sport, and it's helped me deal with nerves, improve and hold concentration for long periods of time, and to manage my emotions in a healthy way.

Not only that, but it has helped me become fit and strengthened my lungs as well. I used to have breathing problems and could only run for short periods of time. Tennis helped me overcome that problem. Overall, it’s shaped me for the better both physically and mentally. Writing is something that’s just completely different from tennis. It lets me channel a much different part of myself. I can let my mind wander and translate all my ideas, from simple to abstract thoughts, onto paper. It’s relaxing, calming, and helps me understand and comprehend more about myself and the world around me.

Together, these two activities have forged much of my character and how I deal and live my day-to-day life. Writing helps me develop and use my creative and artistic mind. I can gain a deeper assurance and realization of qualities that I write about, and can relieve my stress and use it to fuel and create my writing. For tennis, it’s more about honing and improving myself. Whether it's keeping my nerves in line, increasing stamina and strength, or the mental battle that every player undergoes in a match, tennis pushes me to be a better version of myself.

Both of these ventures have been an amazing experience and component of my life, and I am excited for how my journey with writing and tennis will continue.

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