Lesson 17: Endings are inevitable

As a teenager, we often think we have all the time in the world, but time has a funny way of catching up with you. One of the most emotional “endings” I’ve faced so far was during my final year at my favorite robotics competition. It was a bittersweet moment that I’ll never forget.

The day I found out I could no longer participate because I had aged out of the competition felt like a punch to the gut. The robotics community had become my second family, and this event was something I looked forward to every year. I spent countless hours with my coach, tweaking the robot, refining its movements, testing and failing—and testing again. We were a team, and the idea of not being a part of it felt like I was being torn away from something I loved deeply.

But what made this time even harder was knowing that I had to walk away from a competition that I’d grown so attached to. The memories of standing at the competition venue, surrounded by other passionate teams, all working on similar projects, were some of the happiest moments of my high school years. The adrenaline, the teamwork, the problem-solving—it was all magic. And yet, this was the final year I could compete.

I remember one of the hardest moments was saying goodbye to the robot I had spent so much time with. It wasn’t just a machine; it was a representation of all the hours I’d put into learning, building, and growing. I had to leave it behind. But what’s funny is that it wasn’t just the robot that mattered—it was everything else that came with the experience. The coach who believed in me, the friends I made along the way, and the bonds I formed with others who shared the same passion.

At the competition, I had to step aside, watching the new participants take over the space that I once held. It felt like I was being replaced. But, as I reflected on everything, I realized that what I took home was far more valuable than a trophy or a winning title. I carried home a bag of memories—moments of laughter, learning, late nights spent building and testing, and conversations that changed my perspective on life.

It wasn’t about winning; it was about the journey, the experiences, and the people I met along the way.

So while the end of that chapter felt like a loss, I’ve come to understand that endings aren’t necessarily negative. They are just transitions that make way for new beginnings. Even though I had to say goodbye to that part of my life, I knew the skills and lessons I learned would stay with me forever. And I was ready for whatever the next adventure would bring, knowing that each ending only leads to the start of something new.