France to America: my Journey of Strength

Hi, my name is Melissa. I've never considered myself a strong person, but I didn't realize that at the time. I always struggled to keep a job, never really understanding why happiness seemed so elusive. I thought I was content, unaware that I was, in fact, struggling. I know what you might be thinking, but please, keep reading.

Something happened to me during my first year of working at 16 that changed my life forever. It hurt me in ways I couldn't fully comprehend, and while that pain has lessened over time, it shaped the person I've become-someone stronger than I ever imagined I could be. What I thought would destroy me instead pushed me to move to another country, a place where I barely knew the language. At just 24 years old, despite my parents' concerns and their insistence that I shouldn't go alone, I embarked on this journey by myself.

Up until then, I had often hidden behind my parents, relying on them to face the world for me. But the events of my past forced me to confront life head-on. I didn't realize it at the time, but I was hiding from the world, keeping my head down, and avoiding the challenges that came my way. But now, I'm ready to share my story, lift my head, and face the world with courage. It's been a journey full of unexpected twists, and I promise you-it's going to get interesting.