A couple of weeks before her junior year at the Metropolis Institute of Art and Design in New York City, Veronica savors her last days of summer at home in Sonoma, California. The city's verdant, historic scenery has always inspired her imagination. She often visits Sonoma Coast State Park to take photographs and sketch with charcoal or colored pencils. She uses the drawings as inspiration to create watercolor paintings, pastel drawings, or other works. Creating art is her outlet for self-expression.

While Veronica is excited to start the fall semester, lately she tosses and turns at night, unable to sleep, often getting just four hours. One sleepless night, her anxiety was rising, and she kept thinking about whether her dream of attending art school was still worthwhile. She feels unsure about her future because she wonders what would happen if she pursued other passions, such as opening a restaurant or becoming a travel journalist. Since she loves to cook, tries new foods, and wants to travel the world. She wonders whether to follow one passion or embrace them all. Feelign overwhelmed, she walked quietly to her older sister Olivia's room and opened the door. Veronica noticed that Olivia was still sleeping, so she quietly walked toward her and tapped at her shoulder to wake her up.

"Ugh, V, it's still dark. What is it?" Olivia mumbled, half-annoyed.

V is Olivia's nickname for Veronica.

"I can't sleep. Can I tell you something?" Veronica asked.

"Is something wrong?" Olivia replied.

"I just... I don't know if I'm on the right path," Veronica said, her voice faltering. "What if, down the line, I disappoint everyone? What if I find out I don't truly love art after all... Will I have a stable income? New York is incredible, I mean, who wouldn't love it? But... am I making the right choice?" she finished, her face a picture of confusion and worry.

"V if you love it, then it's the right choice. Don't worry about the future; you will figure it out. I will always support you no matter what. How about we take a short trip before you go to school? Maybe it will help you relax and feel better, let's go on a sis adventure," Olivia said.

"Maybe the Grand Canyon? We could stay overnight and see the stars," Veronica said.

"Perfect. We'll leave tomorrow. Let's pack once the sun's out—it's too early for me," Olivia said, amused and quiet.

"Is it fine that I stay on your couch. I promise I won't wake up again. I just don't want to go back to my room, "Veronica said, quiet and honest.

"Why?" Olivia murmured.

"Otherwise, I'll overthink and never sleep," Veronica said uneasily.

"Fine," Olivia sighed, almost asleep.

Veronica grabs a blanket from Olivia's closet. She sits down on the couch, draws a shaky breath, then lies down. She started to feel a sense of relaxation. She knows she needs to unplug and leave for a couple of days to make a decision. Staying at home only adds to her confusion, making it even harder to choose. She needs a change of scenery. 

Veronica and Olivia leave early the next morning, around 4 a.m., even though Olivia dislikes waking up that early. They stop at a coffee shop and order a large iced coffee and a breakfast sandwich to stay awake. Olivia pays gladly, knowing her sister isn't a morning person and might otherwise fall asleep in the car before leaving the house. Then they start driving down Southern California, through Nevada, and arrive in Arizona.

About 13 and a half hours later, Veronica and Olivia reach the Grand Canyon entrance. They search for a place to park and decide to sleep under the stars. They unpack their sleeping bags and lay them next to the car. Their eyes can't believe how quiet and peaceful it looks until a cricket gets on Olivia's sleeping bag and starts screaming. Veronica started laughing at her sister.

 

"Are you kidding me? A cricket causes no harm to you," Olivia said, laughing. 

 

"I know, but you know I don't like insects," Veronica said, disturbed. 

 

Shortly afterward, they decided to sleep inside the car since Olivia felt uncomfortable sleeping outside. 

The next morning, Veronica and Olivia get dressed, put on hiking boots, and set out on their walk, amazed by the views.

 

"My mind feels completely clear being here. It's so unique, and I love the canyon's colors. It's breathtaking. Good thing I brought my sketchbook to sketch the landscape," Veronica said, relaxed.

 

"Right, it is breathtaking. I thought you weren't sure about art," Olivia said, agreeing and questioning her sister.

 

"I brought my sketchbook in case I got inspiration. Ok! Let's continue walking,' Veronica said, unavoidably and rushed. 

 

After walking for a while, they decide to stop and listen to a short lecture about the Grand Canyon's history. The park ranger discusses how the canyon's erosional processes shift and how weather patterns change its shape over time.

As Veronica sits on a log next to Olivia, the park ranger's voice grows distant. Amazed by the red and golden layers of the canyon and the blue sky, she feels like she is in another world. Although she is afraid of heights, it takes her breath away, she reaches into her backpack, pulls out her sketchbook, and begins to draw the view in front of her. As she is sketching, it feels like she's capturing not just the scenery but also her thoughts. She realizes that life is not a single straight path; like the canyon, it has curves, peaks, and emptiness along the way. Veronica feels serene and realizes that she does not have to choose just one passion. Instead, she can let all of them guide her throughout her life.

 

This experience gives Veronica relief as she returns to New York with an open mind. She plans to explore courses beyond art, including culinary arts, business, journalism, and others that interest her. By experimenting with her interests and talking to her professor and friends about her classes and career, she can discover which passion she likes the most. She realized that life is about taking risks and overcoming challenges. It is what makes life unique. It's normal to feel anxious, but she can manage it through meditation or by creating art that expresses her feelings, which others can also relate to.