I've realized lately that as I am transitioning into adulthood, many of the fandoms and "nerdy" aspects of my character have been challenged. When asked what my favorite novels are, I still instinctively say Harry Potter. When I am thinking of an epic film saga of course I turn to the film adaptations of the Lord of the Rings series. I have a passion for what many believe to be "nerdy" and unsophisticated. However, I am also realizing, that they can all just shove off.

I don't feel that I can fully be myself without accepting the movies, books, musicals, and other outside sources that have shaped who I am today. I can sit for hours and discuss the importance of Remus Lupin in Harry Potter's life and still contemplate over the Percy Jackson series had he been a female. Some of my favorite films I can debate about for hours and I will never stop obsessing over Tom Hanks movies.

I have decided that the nerd I once was will always be who I am. I enjoy getting excited over movie plots that challenge me and when a novel that I have read has become popular with others. I think it's fantastic to show others how my favorite things have created the woman I am and how they have influenced me in my life.

Many of the movies and novels that I have read in my life lead me to being and English and Humanities major. I feel that as we slowly age and crossover into the adult world, being a "nerd" or someone with a passion for different topics begins to be a turn off in all aspects of life. It is less and less acceptable for people to be emotionally attached to movies or books and it ultimately forces us to closet the aspects of life that we truly identify with.

Society is beginning to reveal that adulthood comes with responsibilities and within that we must give up the things that truly made our childhood fun. Our imaginations are flying away with our passion for the "nerdy" things in life and soon enough we can no longer discuss them because we barely remember why they made a difference for us in the first place. Rather than accepting individuals for all the things they love and enjoy, we ask them to keep it to themselves because it doesn't line up with the ideals we have surrounding being an adult today.

So all I can say is: rejoice in being a nerd. Talk to people about the things that get you excited. If it's Hamilton or even Freddy vs. Jason, you deserve to have an outlet that gives you the chance to be excited about those things. Engage with people about your nerd love and teach them WHY these things have affected you in the ways they have. Video games, movies, books, music -- all of that meshes together in our lives to give us the personalities we have. The nerd is part of us, and let me be frank, it is for sure the best part of each person. Don't be scared of it, embrace it!