Ever since I was little, I was always that kid who wasn't 100% into Halloween. My favorite part was getting to show off my cool and creative costumes at school for the annual Halloween parties, where we would play games and get cheap little Halloween toys that would break as soon as I got home.
Some of those costumes included a walking crime scene, Tiger Lily from "Peter Pan", and Little Red Riding Hood. They were cool because they were all homemade by my mom. I also would only go Trick-or-Treating for fun because I hated candy.
As I got into high school and college, I started to detest Halloween more and more. I still don't like candy and anything that involves blood, guts, or someone getting their head chopped off. It makes my skin crawl. The only reason I get a costume now is to go to Chipotle for a $3 burrito because who doesn't like cheap Chipotle? If you didn't know, all Chipotles do $3 burritos on Halloween if you go in a costume.
Fast forward to this year, when I'm doing something I didn't see myself doing ever. I'm working at a Haunted Hayride. I've NEVER been on one because, as stated above, I'm a weenie.
Basically, I took the job because my best friend Lily is working there, and I need the money. So, basically, the reasons why any college kid takes a part-time job. I also thought, "Let's get out of my comfort zone because I am an anxious person with OCD, so what could possibly go wrong?"
After only working one weekend, getting punched in the face, the post office losing my mask, and slicing the side of my leg, I think it's going pretty well. In actuality, it is an absolute blast. My coworkers are fun, my boss is so nice, and it's pretty fun scaring the life out of people.
All in all, do what scares you the most. Quit that awful job, go out with that guy, or take that solo trip. It may be the best decision you've ever made. You can do hard things.
Special shout out to Alexis and the entire team at Miller's Haunted Hayride in Hammonton, NJ. Thanks for helping me learn to love Halloween. Please come to visit us every weekend until October 28th.