Fun fact about me, I am dyslexic, and growing up I was not confident in my academic abilities. I honestly questioned if I was even capable of learning because of these academic struggles. However, there was one thing I prided myself on, which was my extensive knowledge of Movies, TV, and especially Disney. These were the topics I knew best, and I knew if I had some knowledge about these topics, that maybe I could comprehend more than I realized after all. I also got a huge confidence boost, when I learned that Walt Disney could’ve potentially been dyslexic, and if he struggled like I did in school and still made his dreams come true- then there was hope for me yet.

Since reading is not my strong suit, movies are my books and a source for learning for me- they help me to understand the world around me. Now just because I struggle with reading does not mean I do not love storytelling. I believe stories are a great source for understanding many abstract and physical concepts but also entertaining, a great way to connect with others and a great gateway for imagination. I love the stories where you can feel the beauties of life spilling out from the page or screen. It’s where you are so entranced by the story, you feel as though you are experiencing it too. Disney is an expert on that, and I have always dreamed to one day create magic like that on the big screen, and mostly create magic like that in my own life. Along with movie watching- the Disney Parks were always one place I could experience that magic first hand, which is why they are my favorite place to be. At a Disney Park or Resort it’s where I can create any story I want and have an adventure outside of my daydreams. Growing up in California, I had only gone to Disneyland in Anaheim, before I went to Florida, but I dream of one day seeing all the Disney Parks.

Back to why I applied- around 2012, I first learned about the Disney College Program (DCP), for my cousin’s friend did the DCP in Anaheim, CA. At the time, I was deep diving into Disney History, and thought the DCP could be a great opportunity for me when I graduated college. Since I did have a lack of confidence with my academics, I knew if I did the college program, I would want to dedicate all my time to the program (and not half of it on school work). I didn’t think I could balance both; I knew working at Disney takes a lot of time and dedication. Mostly, I subconsciously knew I wasn’t ready, for I am, by default, a very anxious person. Like you know the scene where Rapunzel leaves her tower finally, and she is like “I can’t believe I did this,” all excited, then regrettably goes, “I can’t believe I did this?” That is me. I am Rapunzel. She is me. I have never been officially diagnosed with anxiety but before “I left my tower,” sort of speak, I had a lot of fears and self-limiting beliefs that never allowed me to achieve all that I was capable of.

Along came March 2020, the world was falling apart, and I felt like I was going down with it. That year was a hard time for everyone, and for me I took it as a time of self-reflection. My life was heading in a direction that I did not want to follow anymore. I subconsciously knew it before the pandemic but thought it was my anxiety, I didn’t know it was a gut feeling that I needed a change, so I kept brushing it off. I was in a career that didn’t match what I really wanted to do with my life, I was in a relationship that didn’t reflect who I was becoming, and I still lived at home at 25 years old. These circumstances were all I had known for so long and I was too anxious to leave them for a path of the unknown, but 2020 gave me the ass-kicking I needed. I was put on leave from my job due to the pandemic, my long-term relationship abruptly ended, and I was forced to spend time alone with myself for the first time since I was a teenager. My time in quarantine allowed me to put my life on pause to completely rediscover who I was and where I wanted to go.

When everything came crashing down, I looked at my life and knew I was not going to sit in misery and self-pity. I knew if I wanted to make moves, I had to keep moving. While I finished my last semester of my bachelor’s degree, I started doing things that were aligned more with who I truly wanted to be. Since I was not working, I took time to get work experience in a different career realm like remote social media marketing; I practiced new skills such as data entry, content creating, and graphic design. I also started to work on my mental health- I did whatever I could to work on my anxiety. I started going to therapy, writing in a journal, meditating and taking daily walks. I did whatever I could to make moves even though I could only go so far cause of the pandemic.

Once the world started opening again from complete lockdown, and the vaccine was available, I started to finally go out more and hang out with people again. I was still slightly anxious about the pandemic, but I also knew that it’s now or never. I can’t keep waiting to be the person I want to be and do the things I want do.

I graduated from San Francisco State in December of 2020, sometime after I heard they were bringing back the DCP. I was not back to work and still had a lot to work on with my anxiety but I thought I might as well apply. Of course, I missed the due date to apply for the Fall 2021 program, so I put myself on the mailing list to receive updates and I wouldn’t miss the next enrollment period. Summer of 2021, I decided to go back to work at the same job I had before the pandemic just until I could find another stable one. I was currently an Assistant Director of a local after-school daycare, I had been working there since my Freshman year of college. The job had its moments and I did enjoy my time there, but I knew deep down that it wasn’t something I would do forever and it was time to part ways. I was still doing social media work on the side, but it was mostly small assignments which I enjoyed doing and loved the opportunity to branch out.

In September 2021, I finally got accepted to the Spring 2022 program for the DCP and I did not say yes right away. As I mentioned in my previous post, there was a lot to consider and every anxious thought I’ve ever had had presented itself. This was a big leap, I would be leaving my home for the first time in 27 years to live across the country in a state where I have never been, and I knew no one. I mean I never even went away to college; I was always a commuter student. I did not know how I would do it logistically. When they gave me seven days to decide, I used all seven of those days I spent doing research, journaling, meditating and conversing with others about what I should do. And with all of my chaotic pros and cons lists and overthinking, there was always a voice inside of me who knew the moment I got accepted that “oh my gosh, I’m moving to Florida.” Yet, I was and am still learning how to listen to that voice and not dubbing it as anxiety.

Once I accepted the offer, I knew the DCP was going to be something I would do with all my heart and dedication. I would fully embrace this experience even though I did not know exactly what that entails. I have an opportunity to create and be a part of the magic I have adored since I was a little girl and show the world the best version of me. This was an opportunity I was not going to let get away.

The DCP calls everyone in their own way. This was just my story. Now the DCP wasn’t exactly the end all be all of happily ever afters. My story is still being written but it was an unforgettable chapter in my life. I am eternally grateful for the experience. If you are looking to participate in the DCP as well, I hope you also find it to be an amazing adventure in your own story.