Challenge

Once upon a time when I was a young man my parents divorced. At the time I thought nothing much of their split, but as time progressed I started to look at things in a different light. A ten-year-old doesn’t really understand the things around them, and to my understanding, the only difference is that my mother and father were living in different houses. Well, that’s at least what they said.

After my parents’ divorce, most of my mother’s attention went towards my younger brother. He was suffering a life-threatening illness, requiring my mother’s attention. Because of this imbalance in attention, I had to fend for myself, whether it be school or socially. This was really strenuous, as I was previously very reliant on my parents for their help. This made me feel isolated, but life moves on, and one has to adapt. I eventually became used to being independent, and it made me a more self-sufficient individual.

I had to learn to use my resources and get the most out of everything. Teachers were of great help to me. I would devote extra hours if it meant mastering the content, even if that meant giving up time with friends. However, once I got used to this new independence, I was able to establish a more confident self-image that was not there previously. Being able to achieve/accomplish something without the help of someone else, and figuring it out by yourself, is a great inner strength.

Being independent has had a very positive impact on my life. It’s helped me develop my character, provided me with a sense of responsibility to assist others, and shaped my integrity. In my junior and senior years, I have taken all advanced courses and I am on track to receive an International Baccalaureate Diploma. Through this personal growth, I was able to excel in school and develop close friends in extracurricular activities. As much as I wish I could get help from my parents, independence has become a part of my life and I have learned to embrace the challenges that come with it.