People often tell me that I’m tenacious. Maybe I am; maybe I’m not. I find it hard to define myself by a single word when life feels like an endless series of tests. Each day seems to bring its own set of challenges, hurdles that sometimes feel too high to leap over. There are moments when the weight of it all threatens to pull me under, making it difficult to keep moving forward.

But there’s something deep inside me that refuses to give in. I remember a time when I felt truly lost—depressed, homesick, and unsure of my place in the world. It was as if a thick fog had descended on my life, obscuring everything that mattered to me. During those days, I felt like I was fighting a battle with no end in sight.Yet, even in those darkest moments, a small voice within me whispered, “Don’t give up.” It was faint at first, barely audible above the noise of my thoughts. But as time passed, that voice grew stronger, a constant reminder that no matter how bad things got, there was always a reason to keep going.

I realized that tenacity isn’t just about pushing through when things are tough; it’s about holding on to hope, even when it feels like there’s nothing left to hold on to. It’s about refusing to let the darkness win, about finding the light even when it seems impossibly far away.

I’ve learned that life isn’t about avoiding adversity—it’s about facing it head-on. Every obstacle I’ve encountered has taught me something valuable, shaping me into the person I am today. And while I don’t always feel strong, I know that strength isn’t about never falling—it’s about always getting back up.

So maybe I am tenacious, or maybe I’m just stubborn. But I know one thing for sure: I will never give up. I will never give in to those dark thoughts that try to pull me down. Instead, I will keep searching for the light, no matter how dim it may seem. I will always have hope, and I will always find a way forward.

This journey is far from over, and there will undoubtedly be more challenges ahead. But I face them with the knowledge that I have something powerful within me—a relentless spirit that refuses to be defeated. And for that, I am grateful.

Tenacity isn’t about being unbreakable; it’s about knowing that even when you break, you can always put the pieces back together. And that’s exactly what I intend to do, time and time again.