Week 2: Audrey Huang -- A Friend for Life & Change of Mentality

Week 2: Friend for Life and Change of Mentality – 09/09 [9:29 PM]

Last September, I was sitting in a cozy coffee shop with my best friend, Adele. The sharp, sweet aromatic scent of coffee blessed our noses as a quiet chatter made the coffee shop the perfect studying atmosphere. Rays of golden sunlight streamed through the windows, casting patches of the warm, delightful light onto the table.

Between the boring duties of completing homework assignments and studying for upcoming tests, we found ourselves talking about our future. As we were talking about our career interests, Adele brought up the idea of creating our own clothing brand.

However, it wasn’t exactly a new idea, as we started brainstorming the designs, names, and marketing tactics in the summer. In fact, we discussed this idea with her father who was open to the idea of assisting us in terms of finances and the establishment of connections.

And for some background info, Adele converted to homeschooling in 2024 and I stayed in American which decreased our hangout times.

Even though we haven't made any major progress (since then)–other than the designing of clothing pieces, we still embraced the possibilities.

By talking with her that afternoon, my mentality changed.

The thought of building a clothing brand with my best friend intrigued me with excitement. For a sudden moment, the future seemed to be filled with endless possibilities. 

Then I snapped back to reality and realized that I hadn't studied for the quiz I had the next day. I thought about all the homework I still had to finish, the tests I needed to study for, and everything else I felt like I should have been doing. One moment, I was imagining my future, and in the next, I was overwhelmed by all the duties and responsibilities of the present.

So, I paused and replayed my previous thoughts. I questioned myself: why was I letting these assignments take up so much space in my mind? 

There is so much more to life than worrying about a letter grade. I want to try new things even when I'm unsure. I want to take risks where I may fail. I want to chase ideas that excite me–even if they seem unrealistic at first.

Ever since, I stopped worrying about schoolwork and unnecessary things. I started feeling more laid-back because whatever happens, happens. 

The stress disappeared once I realized the hidden meaning of life. If you overthink every idea, test, or experience you become trapped in your own mind– and if you don't take action, you won't achieve anything. 

You may believe that everyone's watching your every move and mistake, but in reality, they're only paying attention to their own mistakes. 

In fact, happiness isn't just rooted in doing things perfectly–but rather in creating a memorable experience to look back on.

My definition of memorable experiences includes the unique experiences containing the joys and embarrassments of failure.


<< I couldn't find the pics from the specific day but here's some pretty similar images of the drinks we got on that day (based off memory)

Comments

  1. Naeva BhokareSeptember 15, 2026 at 6:10 PM

    Hi Audrey! I thought your message was so beautifully written. I also think we place way too much emphasis on things like grades and homework, and it’s definitely important to take a moment and reflect on all the other possibilities. When I look at why people may care a lot about their homework or grades, I think it’s also important to look at the environment of the students. Familial expectations and school competitiveness seems to be a huge factor when evaluating the level of importance that homework and school has in our lives.

    Your clothing brand idea seems so interesting, I think designing your own clothes is a great way to have a personal creative outlet. It's so interesting to see how one conversation can change our perception so vividly. I’m glad your conversation with Adele helped you gain some clarity about what is important to you!

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  2. Samantha EhleSeptember 16, 2026 at 8:44 PM

    I really empathize with how assignments take up most of your time and space in your mind—I’m the exact same. Sometimes, when thinking back on my conversations with my close friends, or my general lifestyle, I kind of come to the realization that it’s so inundated with the stress of schoolwork. Sometimes I don’t know how to even talk to friends I’m close to and have been friends with for years without bringing up shared classes or homework, and sometimes when I go home I reflect on the time I spend as procrastinating-guiltily and actually-doing-work.
    I do really agree with how you believe that schoolwork and an (not quite) arbitrary letter grade isn’t the most important thing in someone’s life. I’ve sort of found my and my friends' obsession with only getting As—Bs are unacceptable, for some—unhealthy. While I still have it within me to be ashamed of getting lower scores on tests or final grades, I’ve been gradually training myself to realize that filling my life with my hobbies would lead to a happier lifestyle. Maybe I would get better grades if I were to be taking a bunch of math and English classes, but I rather like taking piano or ice skating lessons instead.

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  3. Sanvi SinhaSeptember 16, 2026 at 9:20 PM

    Hey Audrey! I absolutely love your reflection! The way you painted that cozy scene in the coffee shop really pulls the reader into that moment of inspiration.

    I agree 100%—it is easy to get caught up in the constant pressure of grades, assignments, and test prep that we forget to dream about the bigger pressure. Your realization about taking risks and embracing the “joys and embarrassments of life” is such a mature take that I feel a lot of people our age need to adapt into their mindset, myself included. It’s really easy to get tangled up in past mistakes and present stress, completely forgetting that we still have so much of our lives ahead of us.

    It’s so cool that a simple coffee shop conversation with Adele sparked such a meaningful shift in how you view both your future and your present. Also, if you two are ever looking for someone to give out clothing samples to for your business, my address is ready lol!

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