What was the hardest thing you’ve faced in life? You’ve probably been able to answer this question since the age of 5, however, as you grow up, your answer has doubtlessly evolved, gradually morphing into something more complex. And the same goes for the lessons that come with it – from “Don’t anger mom” to “Life is fleeting; we need to learn to embrace and enjoy every moment.” Change is inevitable, and there will always be transformative moments that deeply affect you and become another step on the turbulent road to growing up.
“What was the hardest thing you’ve faced growing up and how did it change you?”
Nalo Rush (6):
The hardest thing for me is writing because it’s hard and I don’t like it. But I practiced a lot, and now I’m better at writing.
Kelly Zhao (10):
The hardest thing I faced growing up was when I went to Year 1 at an international school. I did not even know the English alphabet and couldn’t understand my teacher at all. I studied very hard to learn English, and through this, I learned that any problem can be overcome by hard work and determination.
Aicheng Xu (12):
The hardest thing I’ve ever faced growing up is solving disagreements without fighting or hurting someone’s feelings, which can be hard because we’re born differently and it can be hard to understand each other. After many arguments, I learned that sometimes I need to be flexible in coping with the situation on my own while respecting everyone’s ideas.
Vladimir Dementyev (17):
Growing up I started gaming, and got addicted to it. I struggled to work properly, and my time management had been affected negatively. However, I am no longer addicted and I learned that although gaming is a lot of fun, it will create a negative impact on my other skills that are much more vital and important.
Revetahw Liu (22):
My biggest struggle so far was when I wanted to get an actual job rather than an internship, which I had no chance of getting even if I worked very hard and late. I learned that the solution for me was to not waste my time at this company, but rather use this experience and seek a stable job at another company.
Allison Cusato (45):
I was always passionate about art, yet my parents always wanted me to study business instead. We argued for years and I sought refuge in the art classrooms. After the [events of Sept 11, 2001], combined with my own passion for art, I decided to recreate the safe haven that I had for other children and encourage them to follow their own passions.
Shukang Jiao (78):
My biggest regret was that I was unable to pursue my dream career of being an actor. However, over the few decades, I had many chances to release my passion for theatre and music, such as being a music teacher, a voice actor, a conductor, and so on. Life is long and there will be a whirlwind at some point, but as long as you face it with a calm attitude, then your life will be an extraordinary one.
Images: Uni You
This article appeared in the jingkids 2021 July-August issue
