“What challenges have you faced that have helped shape your identity?” — Unknown

I’ve always felt different from my peers since I was a child. I struggled to define who I truly am, and this feeling only grew stronger with time. It seemed as if I was looking for something but didn’t know what it was.

When I discovered my heart’s desires and emotions, I knew that defining myself would be challenging. Fear of rejection held me back. I was afraid that if I showed my true self, others would judge or reject me. But I felt deep down that this kind of life would never be good or happy for anyone.

I started taking small steps toward accepting myself. I started expressing myself more openly, dressing in clothes that made me feel confident, and speaking up about my opinions and values. Though it was initially challenging and difficult, it became clear that being true to yourself is the only way to actually live a full life.

But determining my identity didn’t come without difficulties. I found it challenging to let go of the expectations that people had of me, whether they were from my family, my friends, or the society around me. It was hard to differentiate their beliefs and values from mine.

I also realized I wasn’t self-aware. I hadn’t taken time to understand my thoughts and emotions, nor did I understand what truly mattered to me. In order to overcome this obstacle, I began reflecting on what motivated me and helped me improve.

It wasn’t always easy, but I eventually overcame these obstacles. I learned to prioritize my own values and views over those of others, which gave me a deeper understanding of myself and what I wanted from life. Most importantly, however, is the recognition that change is inevitable in life and that it’s perfectly normal to grow and progress as individuals.

I’ve been on a never-ending journey to learn my identity, and I’m still at it today. But despite everything, I am proud of where I came from and happy with the journey to get here. By staying true to myself and accepting change, I know that I will become the person I want to be by continuing this process of growth and improvement.