When I was younger, my family was far from typical. Growing up in an income-based apartment meant we were often viewed differently from other kids. Our circumstances fluctuated between moments of blessing and periods of less fortune. Early on, if I wanted something valuable, I had to earn it. As I aged, my appearance didn't match that of kids my age; I was often seen as more mature, a sight parents usually dread. This garnered attention, boosting my self-esteem significantly, and as we all know, that comes with its own set of teenage problems!