During my upbringing in a joint family of eight members, which included my beloved grandmother, I gained unique experiences and developed qualities that are uncommon among only children. My cousin Sue played a significant part in nurturing me as she served as both a sister figure and provided support when my mother was unable to.
My family greatly influenced my upbringing and shaped my preferences. They are the cause of my enduring likes and dislikes. They consist of my brother Seb, another cousin, my aunt and uncle who served as second parents, and my parents who are also my biggest supporters. Among them, Sue holds a special place in my heart as she used to sing her favorite songs to me when I was just 11 years old.
She instructed me in the dance routine for Britney Spears' 'Hit me baby one more time'. Seb added his mixt
...apes to our assortment of cassettes and CDs, introducing me to new music. While I realized I didn't actually like Metallica, I can still recall the lyrics to both that song and Mariah Carey's 'Genie in a bottle'.
As a child, Sue's friendship was essential to me. Despite frequent fights, I observed and learned from her. I discovered the tactic of concealing my hair before engaging in physical altercations, and if that failed, I could resort to using my nails as weapons. By observing Sue, I gained insight into being a girl, expressing intense anger despite societal expectations, and maintaining determination in achieving my desires.
Despite her consistent failures in various subjects throughout her academic years, she managed to successfully graduate from high school. In contrast, I surpassed her intellectual capabilities and
merely required a bit of motivation to devote myself to studying. I eagerly perused the books she borrowed from the library, which consequently introduced me to the world of Harry Potter. This experience instilled within me the value of sharing everything with my cousins.
The value of sharing, even the smallest treats, was always emphasized to us and has stayed with me. However, the family home became crowded for eight people when Grandmother passed away, Seb was at the age to get married, and I was becoming a teenager.
At first, I did not acknowledge the unforeseen alterations in my life that occurred when my family and I moved. It was not until they departed that I comprehended the significance of their existence and assistance. Consequently, my academic achievements suffered during that time due to the abrupt feeling of being alone. Beforehand, I had always relished spending time with my two elder siblings, but now I found myself as a solitary individual.
The impact on my identity was greatly influenced by the disparity I experienced. With a decrease in family size, my parents faced more responsibilities with fewer people to help them fulfill those duties. As a result, I received less attention, which had a strong impact on my rebellious behavior during adolescence. Additionally, the lack of emphasis on social skills can be attributed to never having had the necessity for friends.
Although I felt lonely, I acquired important lessons that would have taken more time to learn. These included improving my cooking skills through both failed and successful creations. Furthermore, I developed a greater capacity to embrace solitude and find pleasure in my own company without
feeling anxious about being alone at a table.
Eventually, I came to terms with my introverted nature and ceased fixating on my isolation. While my mother sought to exert control over me, my father adopted a more relaxed attitude during my rebellious phase. He recognized that my erratic actions would diminish over time and opted to encourage my passion for literature instead.
I became intrigued with e-books and received a laptop from him. Additionally, he acquainted me with interactive classes, altering my perception of education. Notably, his quiet demeanor greatly shaped his identity, much like my own talkative disposition shaped mine.
Being a PhD holder, he always motivated me to pursue knowledge, which influenced my decision to study psychology. I wanted to emulate him and still do, although my ambitions are now more discreet. This subject genuinely fascinated me, although there were other considerations that played a role in my choice.
My father's entire life revolved around finance and the country's economy due to his study of economics. His job as a tax officer inspired me to avoid subjects related to economics and management. I researched and found that for a career in psychology, a master's degree was the minimum requirement, though a PhD was strongly preferred.
Despite our differences, I always felt loved by my father. This is why I chose to devote over eight years to studying instead of taking any economics classes. Although there was a five-year hiatus, in my mind, my education never ceased - it simply took a temporary pause for me to process my emotions. Unfortunately, my father passed away before I completed high school.
Throughout the years, I have grieved for everything that was
taken from me when he passed away. The person I lost was my inspiration to keep learning. As a result, without him, no one objected to my decision to drop out of school. It is a regret that I never got the chance to talk to him. However, I do remember telling him about my interest in studying psychology and how he immediately found resources to support my research in this field. Even though my classmates showed little interest, he probably believed that I would become a psychiatrist, and this gave me the determination to continue despite their lack of encouragement. Since his death, every important moment in my life has been colored by his absence.
During my first day of college, he would have probably felt proud and assisted me in selecting a topic for this essay. I would have likely asked him to help proofread all my essays. Missed opportunities fill my past, but my present is shaped by my determination to carry out actions that would have made him proud. I strongly believe that my family has greatly influenced the development of my character. They influence both significant and minor decisions I make.
After a long break, my choice of major was significantly influenced by my father. If it weren't for his guidance, I am uncertain if I would have found the motivation to continue studying and experience the same level of enjoyment that I currently do.
His impact greatly influenced the development of my current identity.
