I'm trying to think of various adversities I have faced in my life and how they have affected me, and the one that stands out to me as truly influential in my life is the fact that I grew up in a household with two functionally alcoholic parents. I spent a great deal of my younger years thinking that their behavior was normal, but it wasn't until I started visiting my friends' houses that I realized what was acceptable behavior and what wasn't.
It made me feel like I wanted to isolate myself from my parents, so I spent a lot of time alone in my room at home since I was being raised essentially as an only child (half siblings lived with their dad). I began to focus my energy on learning how to play the viola in my school's orchestra and on studying. I ended up becoming one of the best violist's in my state and went on to play at Carnegie hall in college. It also just allowed me to develop really great work ethic because I wanted to be away from the negativity at home. I kinda had no choice but to just study?
But most importantly I was able to do all of this because I had to find a way to find healthy support systems outside of my family, whether it was within myself or mentors/role models at school. While my parents seem to have gotten past their alcoholism, I do not really have much of a relationship with them now, but I know that this experience shaped a lot of my childhood. I decided to channel my frustrations into positive activities and how to seek mentorship and guidance from people who would influence my life positively. Is it a bad idea to talk about a family member's addiction for an adversity? I think I can explain everything a bit more eloquently than this in an essay, but I just really need advice as to whether or not this was an acceptable topic.
Any advice/feedback is appreciated!!
It made me feel like I wanted to isolate myself from my parents, so I spent a lot of time alone in my room at home since I was being raised essentially as an only child (half siblings lived with their dad). I began to focus my energy on learning how to play the viola in my school's orchestra and on studying. I ended up becoming one of the best violist's in my state and went on to play at Carnegie hall in college. It also just allowed me to develop really great work ethic because I wanted to be away from the negativity at home. I kinda had no choice but to just study?
But most importantly I was able to do all of this because I had to find a way to find healthy support systems outside of my family, whether it was within myself or mentors/role models at school. While my parents seem to have gotten past their alcoholism, I do not really have much of a relationship with them now, but I know that this experience shaped a lot of my childhood. I decided to channel my frustrations into positive activities and how to seek mentorship and guidance from people who would influence my life positively. Is it a bad idea to talk about a family member's addiction for an adversity? I think I can explain everything a bit more eloquently than this in an essay, but I just really need advice as to whether or not this was an acceptable topic.
Any advice/feedback is appreciated!!
