I grew up in a family with a father, a mother figure, and a brother. On paper, it looked like a normal family, but in reality, we weren’t very close. There were often tensions and problems that made me feel like I never truly belonged.

School didn’t make things easier. I was bullied heavily for years—both physically and mentally. Those experiences left deep scars. Still, I was lucky to have a few good friends who helped me through that time. I also chose to focus mainly on studying. Learning became an escape for me, a way to distract myself and find some peace. I also discovered checkers and chess, and the logic and strategy in those games gave me a sense of structure that I often missed in daily life.

When I was sixteen, I was diagnosed with a mild form of autism. For some people, that sounds like a disadvantage, but for me, it was a relief. It gave me an explanation for the way I thought and felt. And more importantly, I see it as an advantage: it gives me more logical insight and structure than many others I know.

At nineteen, I became homeless. The lack of support from my surroundings played a big role in that. It was an incredibly difficult time, but even then, I refused to give up. After four weeks, I found a job, and with the money I earned, I was able to find a place to live. From that moment on, I started rebuilding my life, step by step.

What I’ve learned from all of this is that giving up is never an option for me. I have to fight for my own worth and my own survival. I’ve learned to put myself first—not out of selfishness, but because it’s necessary.
If you don’t love yourself, you can’t truly love someone else.

My life has never been easy, but it has made me stronger. Every setback has shaped me into the person I am today: someone who keeps moving forward, no matter how hard it gets.