I think you are putting way too much pressure on yourself.
Keep being you. It’s never easy to be someone you aren’t.
When the time comes, Princeton and wherever else you apply will see you for you and they’ll decide.
Here’s an interesting article. It seems like it helps (at least in the past) and that’s great - but of course, you still have to be prepared.
Do you like Princeton - that’s the first thing.
I’d say this - just be the best you that you can be. Keep doing well in school. Continue with your crossword puzzles - I don’t think getting published by the NYT vs. not matters - that you’re doing them matters.
And you’ll end up where you should.
No needed for the pressure you’re putting on yourself. And ECs are just one portion of the app - they review so much more from rank, rigor, gpa, test score (you’ll need to deliver that score you mentioned and actually even higher).
Have a great Junior year and then you can reassess. Best of luck.