I felt that no matter how hard I tried, my family didn't understand or accept me for who I was. Growing up, my father disciplined me so harshly that I lost my voice in expressing myself. I lost my mother at 5, then my father at 11, and 2 years later, I lost my closest caretaker, my dear auntie. I was in a household with 12 children and no adults to care for us. I tried to escape my grief through drinking, and since I had given up succeeding at school, I completely lost faith in myself. The next decade I ended up in a cycle of trying to fit in just to feel some acceptance. Ultimately, I felt completely lost and on autopilot, without knowing who I was. See how I realized during my time at University that I had to change my environment and start living by my values. The church community allowed me to be invisible in the larger crowd and feel seen in the sub-groups all at once. Learn how this support and my wife's belief in me empowered me to pursue my dream of becoming a graphic designer and photographer. Once aligned with my purpose and calling, I realized I needed to face my trauma through counseling. This mentally enabled me to accept myself and finally let go of my dependence on others' acceptance.