a difficult journey essay

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10 Words to Describe a Difficult Journey

By Ali Dixon

If you want to present a challenging path a character in your book is taking, illustrate it using the following 10 words to describe a difficult journey.

Challenging or straining ; reaching or surpassing one’s endurance.

“The journey was a long and  trying  one, and by the end of it, they were all relieved to have finally reached their destination.”

“After their  trying  journey there, they took a long, well-earned rest.”

How It Adds Description

If a journey is difficult, then that can require a serious test of endurance.  Describing  the journey as a trying one can emphasize how difficult the journey was. You can use this word with some flexibility as well since a journey could be physically or emotionally trying.

Extending a significant distance or spanning a great length .

“Getting to the other side of the mountains would entail a  long , difficult journey.”

“If they wanted to reach their destination in time, they knew they would have to head out on their  long  journey as soon as possible.”

There are a lot of things that can make a journey difficult, including the length of the journey itself. Putting your character on a long journey can add even more tension to your story and make it more rewarding when your character finally reaches their destination.

Involving or imposing a burden .

“They all knew it would be a tiresome,  onerous  journey, so they made sure that they had packed all the supplies they would need.”

“She thought many times about giving up on her  onerous  journey, but she knew that what waited for her ahead would be worth all the trouble she had gone to.”

Onerous isn’t a word one sees often, so it can stand out to your readers. Seeing it can help to emphasize how much of a burden the adventure that your character is going on is to them.

4. Grueling

Punishing ; difficult to the point of exhaustion.

“After their long,  grueling  journey, they rewarded themselves with a hearty meal and a long, restful sleep.”

“Getting to the other side of the map would without a doubt be a  grueling  task, but it was one that the entire team was up for.”

Want to ensure that your readers know difficult the journey is on your character? Use the word grueling. This word can emphasize that not only is the journey hard, but it feels close to a punishment.

5. Exhausting

Extremely tiring .

“Since they had to plan for such an  exhausting  journey, they spent a long time beforehand making sure that they would have all the supplies they needed.”

“When he started on the road, he had been keen and bright-eyed, but by the end of the  exhausting  and challenging journey, all he wanted to do was rest.”

Something that is exhausting is more than just a little tiring. Calling the journey exhausting will help to describe both the physical state as well as the mental state your character is in when the journey is finally done.

Upward on an incline or hill ; against challenges.

“The  uphill  journey left them feeling nothing but tired by the end of it.”

“She knew that what she would find at the end of the road would be worth it, but the  uphill  climb was going to make things that much more challenging.”

The word uphill can be used literally to describe an inclined terrain your character must go up. You can also use it metaphorically to demonstrate that your character must face other challenges along the way to their destination.

7. Formidable

Causing feelings of apprehension or dread ; impressive of instilling feelings of wonder.

“He had no idea what he would find at the end of his  formidable  journey.”

“As she looked at the map in front of her, she considered what she would have to bring with her on such a  formidable  journey.”

If the journey that one of your characters is going on is quite daunting, then you can describe it as formidable. You can also use it in a slightly more positive sense to show that the journey inspires feelings of awe.

8. Intimidating

Causing a loss of confidence and inspiring feelings of timidity, fear, or anxiety .

“At first it had seemed like an easy adventure, but the more he thought about it, the more  intimidating  it became.”

“The map had seemed  intimidating  at the time, but now that she was well on her way, the road seemed much easier.”

If a journey looks like it’s going to be particularly long or hard, then it’s probably going to be pretty intimidating for the character going on it. This word will help describe the tension your character is experiencing.

Marked by difficult terrain ; challenging to travel through or across; not easy.

“The journey would be a  rough  one, and would require packing several days’ worth of supplies.”

“They would follow the  rough  road all the way to the end.”

The word rough can be used to describe the actual terrain that your characters are traveling across. You can also use it to describe the journey itself, as calling something rough means that it is challenging or not easy.

10. Satisfying

Rewarding ; causing feelings of contentment or pleasure by providing something needed.

“After such a difficult but  satisfying  journey, the team was rewarded with some good food and a few comfortable beds to sleep on.”

“She knew that despite all the challenges, the journey would be  satisfying , especially once she reached the hidden treasure.”

A difficult journey doesn’t have to be entirely negative! When your character finally reaches the end of their road, they’re likely to find a lot of satisfaction. Describing the relief and reward your characters have achieved through this journey will make it feel satisfying to your readers as well.

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8 Overcoming Challenges College Essay Examples

The purpose of the Overcoming Challenges essay is for schools to see how you might handle the difficulties of college. They want to know how you grow, evolve, and learn when you face adversity. For this topic, there are many clichés , such as getting a bad grade or losing a sports game, so be sure to steer clear of those and focus on a topic that’s unique to you. (See our full guide on the Overcoming Challenges Essay for more tips).

These overcoming challenges essay examples were all written by real students. Read through them to get a sense of what makes a strong essay. At the end, we’ll present the revision process for the first essay and share some resources for improving your essay.

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Essay 1: Becoming a Coach

“Advanced females ages 13 to 14 please proceed to staging with your coaches at this time.” Skittering around the room, eyes wide and pleading, I frantically explained my situation to nearby coaches. The seconds ticked away in my head; every polite refusal increased my desperation.

Despair weighed me down. I sank to my knees as a stream of competitors, coaches, and officials flowed around me. My dojang had no coach, and the tournament rules prohibited me from competing without one.

Although I wanted to remain strong, doubts began to cloud my mind. I could not help wondering: what was the point of perfecting my skills if I would never even compete? The other members of my team, who had found coaches minutes earlier, attempted to comfort me, but I barely heard their words. They couldn’t understand my despair at being left on the outside, and I never wanted them to understand.

Since my first lesson 12 years ago, the members of my dojang have become family. I have watched them grow up, finding my own happiness in theirs. Together, we have honed our kicks, blocks, and strikes. We have pushed one another to aim higher and become better martial artists. Although my dojang had searched for a reliable coach for years, we had not found one. When we attended competitions in the past, my teammates and I had always gotten lucky and found a sympathetic coach. Now, I knew this practice was unsustainable. It would devastate me to see the other members of my dojang in my situation, unable to compete and losing hope as a result. My dojang needed a coach, and I decided it was up to me to find one.

I first approached the adults in the dojang – both instructors and members’ parents. However, these attempts only reacquainted me with polite refusals. Everyone I asked told me they couldn’t devote multiple weekends per year to competitions. I soon realized that I would have become the coach myself.

At first, the inner workings of tournaments were a mystery to me. To prepare myself for success as a coach, I spent the next year as an official and took coaching classes on the side. I learned everything from motivational strategies to technical, behind-the-scenes components of Taekwondo competitions. Though I emerged with new knowledge and confidence in my capabilities, others did not share this faith.

Parents threw me disbelieving looks when they learned that their children’s coach was only a child herself. My self-confidence was my armor, deflecting their surly glances. Every armor is penetrable, however, and as the relentless barrage of doubts pounded my resilience, it began to wear down. I grew unsure of my own abilities.

Despite the attack, I refused to give up. When I saw the shining eyes of the youngest students preparing for their first competition, I knew I couldn’t let them down. To quit would be to set them up to be barred from competing like I was. The knowledge that I could solve my dojang’s longtime problem motivated me to overcome my apprehension.

Now that my dojang flourishes at competitions, the attacks on me have weakened, but not ended. I may never win the approval of every parent; at times, I am still tormented by doubts, but I find solace in the fact that members of my dojang now only worry about competing to the best of their abilities.

Now, as I arrive at a tournament with my students, I close my eyes and remember the past. I visualize the frantic search for a coach and the chaos amongst my teammates as we competed with one another to find coaches before the staging calls for our respective divisions. I open my eyes to the exact opposite scene. Lacking a coach hurt my ability to compete, but I am proud to know that no member of my dojang will have to face that problem again.

This essay begins with an in-the-moment narrative that really illustrates the chaos of looking for a coach last-minute. We feel the writer’s emotions, particularly their dejectedness, at not being able to compete.

Through this essay, we can see how gutsy and determined the student is in deciding to become a coach themselves. The writer shows us these characteristics through their actions, rather than explicitly telling us: To prepare myself for success as a coach, I spent the next year as an official and took coaching classes on the side.

One area of improvement of this essay would be the “attack” wording. The author likely uses this word as a metaphor for martial arts, but it feels too strong to describe the adults’ doubt of the student’s abilities as a coach, and can even be confusing at first.

Still, we see the student’s resilience as they are able to move past the disbelieving looks to help their team. The essay is kept real and vulnerable, however, as the writer admits having doubts: Every armor is penetrable, however, and as the relentless barrage of doubts pounded my resilience, it began to wear down. I grew unsure of my own abilities.

The essay comes full circle as the author recalls the frantic situations in seeking out a coach, but this is no longer a concern for them and their team. Overall, this essay is extremely effective in painting this student as mature, bold, and compassionate.

Essay 2: Starting a Fire

Was I no longer the beloved daughter of nature, whisperer of trees? Knee-high rubber boots, camouflage, bug spray—I wore the garb and perfume of a proud wild woman, yet there I was, hunched over the pathetic pile of stubborn sticks, utterly stumped, on the verge of tears. As a child, I had considered myself a kind of rustic princess, a cradler of spiders and centipedes, who was serenaded by mourning doves and chickadees, who could glide through tick-infested meadows and emerge Lyme-free. I knew the cracks of the earth like the scars on my own rough palms. Yet here I was, ten years later, incapable of performing the most fundamental outdoor task: I could not, for the life of me, start a fire. 

Furiously I rubbed the twigs together—rubbed and rubbed until shreds of skin flaked from my fingers. No smoke. The twigs were too young, too sticky-green; I tossed them away with a shower of curses, and began tearing through the underbrush in search of a more flammable collection. My efforts were fruitless. Livid, I bit a rejected twig, determined to prove that the forest had spurned me, offering only young, wet bones that would never burn. But the wood cracked like carrots between my teeth—old, brittle, and bitter. Roaring and nursing my aching palms, I retreated to the tent, where I sulked and awaited the jeers of my family. 

Rattling their empty worm cans and reeking of fat fish, my brother and cousins swaggered into the campsite. Immediately, they noticed the minor stick massacre by the fire pit and called to me, their deep voices already sharp with contempt. 

“Where’s the fire, Princess Clara?” they taunted. “Having some trouble?” They prodded me with the ends of the chewed branches and, with a few effortless scrapes of wood on rock, sparked a red and roaring flame. My face burned long after I left the fire pit. The camp stank of salmon and shame. 

In the tent, I pondered my failure. Was I so dainty? Was I that incapable? I thought of my hands, how calloused and capable they had been, how tender and smooth they had become. It had been years since I’d kneaded mud between my fingers; instead of scaling a white pine, I’d practiced scales on my piano, my hands softening into those of a musician—fleshy and sensitive. And I’d gotten glasses, having grown horrifically nearsighted; long nights of dim lighting and thick books had done this. I couldn’t remember the last time I had lain down on a hill, barefaced, and seen the stars without having to squint. Crawling along the edge of the tent, a spider confirmed my transformation—he disgusted me, and I felt an overwhelming urge to squash him. 

Yet, I realized I hadn’t really changed—I had only shifted perspective. I still eagerly explored new worlds, but through poems and prose rather than pastures and puddles. I’d grown to prefer the boom of a bass over that of a bullfrog, learned to coax a different kind of fire from wood, having developed a burn for writing rhymes and scrawling hypotheses. 

That night, I stayed up late with my journal and wrote about the spider I had decided not to kill. I had tolerated him just barely, only shrieking when he jumped—it helped to watch him decorate the corners of the tent with his delicate webs, knowing that he couldn’t start fires, either. When the night grew cold and the embers died, my words still smoked—my hands burned from all that scrawling—and even when I fell asleep, the ideas kept sparking—I was on fire, always on fire.

This essay is an excellent example because the writer turns an everyday challenge—starting a fire—into an exploration of her identity. The writer was once “a kind of rustic princess, a cradler of spiders and centipedes,” but has since traded her love of the outdoors for a love of music, writing, and reading. 

The story begins in media res , or in the middle of the action, allowing readers to feel as if we’re there with the writer. One of the essay’s biggest strengths is its use of imagery. We can easily visualize the writer’s childhood and the present day. For instance, she states that she “rubbed and rubbed [the twigs] until shreds of skin flaked from my fingers.”

The writing has an extremely literary quality, particularly with its wordplay. The writer reappropriates words and meanings, and even appeals to the senses: “My face burned long after I left the fire pit. The camp stank of salmon and shame.” She later uses a parallelism to cleverly juxtapose her changed interests: “instead of scaling a white pine, I’d practiced scales on my piano.”

One of the essay’s main areas of improvement is its overemphasis on the “story” and lack of emphasis on the reflection. The second to last paragraph about changing perspective is crucial to the essay, as it ties the anecdote to larger lessons in the writer’s life. She states that she hasn’t changed, but has only shifted perspective. Yet, we don’t get a good sense of where this realization comes from and how it impacts her life going forward. 

The end of the essay offers a satisfying return to the fire imagery, and highlights the writer’s passion—the one thing that has remained constant in her life.

Essay 3: Last-Minute Switch

The morning of the Model United Nation conference, I walked into Committee feeling confident about my research. We were simulating the Nuremberg Trials – a series of post-World War II proceedings for war crimes – and my portfolio was of the Soviet Judge Major General Iona Nikitchenko. Until that day, the infamous Nazi regime had only been a chapter in my history textbook; however, the conference’s unveiling of each defendant’s crimes brought those horrors to life. The previous night, I had organized my research, proofread my position paper and gone over Judge Nikitchenko’s pertinent statements. I aimed to find the perfect balance between his stance and my own.

As I walked into committee anticipating a battle of wits, my director abruptly called out to me. “I’m afraid we’ve received a late confirmation from another delegate who will be representing Judge Nikitchenko. You, on the other hand, are now the defense attorney, Otto Stahmer.” Everyone around me buzzed around the room in excitement, coordinating with their allies and developing strategies against their enemies, oblivious to the bomb that had just dropped on me. I felt frozen in my tracks, and it seemed that only rage against the careless delegate who had confirmed her presence so late could pull me out of my trance. After having spent a month painstakingly crafting my verdicts and gathering evidence against the Nazis, I now needed to reverse my stance only three hours before the first session.

Gradually, anger gave way to utter panic. My research was fundamental to my performance, and without it, I knew I could add little to the Trials. But confident in my ability, my director optimistically recommended constructing an impromptu defense. Nervously, I began my research anew. Despite feeling hopeless, as I read through the prosecution’s arguments, I uncovered substantial loopholes. I noticed a lack of conclusive evidence against the defendants and certain inconsistencies in testimonies. My discovery energized me, inspiring me to revisit the historical overview in my conference “Background Guide” and to search the web for other relevant articles. Some Nazi prisoners had been treated as “guilty” before their court dates. While I had brushed this information under the carpet while developing my position as a judge, i t now became the focus of my defense. I began scratching out a new argument, centered on the premise that the allied countries had violated the fundamental rule that, a defendant was “not guilty” until proven otherwise.

At the end of the three hours, I felt better prepared. The first session began, and with bravado, I raised my placard to speak. Microphone in hand, I turned to face my audience. “Greetings delegates. I, Otto Stahmer would like to…….” I suddenly blanked. Utter dread permeated my body as I tried to recall my thoughts in vain. “Defence Attorney, Stahmer we’ll come back to you,” my Committee Director broke the silence as I tottered back to my seat, flushed with embarrassment. Despite my shame, I was undeterred. I needed to vindicate my director’s faith in me. I pulled out my notes, refocused, and began outlining my arguments in a more clear and direct manner. Thereafter, I spoke articulately, confidently putting forth my points. I was overjoyed when Secretariat members congratulated me on my fine performance.

Going into the conference, I believed that preparation was the key to success. I wouldn’t say I disagree with that statement now, but I believe adaptability is equally important. My ability to problem-solve in the face of an unforeseen challenge proved advantageous in the art of diplomacy. Not only did this experience transform me into a confident and eloquent delegate at that conference, but it also helped me become a more flexible and creative thinker in a variety of other capacities. Now that I know I can adapt under pressure, I look forward to engaging in activities that will push me to be even quicker on my feet.

This essay is an excellent example because it focuses on a unique challenge and is highly engaging. The writer details their experience reversing their stance in a Model UN trial with only a few hours notice, after having researched and prepared to argue the opposite perspective for a month. 

Their essay is written in media res , or in the middle of the action, allowing readers to feel as if we’re there with the writer. The student openly shares their internal thoughts with us — we feel their anger and panic upon the reversal of roles. We empathize with their emotions of “utter dread” and embarrassment when they’re unable to speak. 

From the essay, we learn that the student believes in thorough preparation, but can also adapt to unforeseen obstacles. They’re able to rise to the challenge and put together an impromptu argument, think critically under pressure, and recover after their initial inability to speak. 

Essay 4: Music as a Coping Mechanism

CW: This essay mentions self-harm.

Sobbing uncontrollably, I parked around the corner from my best friend’s house. As I sat in the driver’s seat, I whispered the most earnest prayer I had ever offered.

Minutes before, I had driven to Colin’s house to pick up a prop for our upcoming spring musical. When I got there, his older brother, Tom, came to the door and informed me that no one else was home. “No,” I corrected, “Colin is here. He’s got a migraine.” Tom shook his head and gently told me where Colin actually was: the psychiatric unit of the local hospital. I felt a weight on my chest as I connected the dots; the terrifying picture rocked my safe little world. Tom’s words blurred as he explained Colin’s self-harm, but all I could think of was whether I could have stopped him. Those cuts on his arms had never been accidents. Colin had lied, very convincingly, many times. How could I have ignored the signs in front of me? Somehow, I managed to ask Tom whether I could see him, but he told me that visiting hours for non-family members were over for the day. I would have to move on with my afternoon.

Once my tears had subsided a little, I drove to the theater, trying to pull myself together and warm up to sing. How would I rehearse? I couldn’t sing three notes without bursting into tears. “I can’t do this,” I thought. But then I realized that the question wasn’t whether I could do it. I knew Colin would want me to push through, and something deep inside told me that music was the best way for me to process my grief. I needed to sing.

I practiced the lyrics throughout my whole drive. The first few times, I broke down in sobs. By the time I reached the theater, however, the music had calmed me. While Colin would never be far from my mind, I had to focus on the task ahead: recording vocals and then producing the video trailer that would be shown to my high school classmates. I fought to channel my worry into my recording. If my voice shook during the particularly heartfelt moments, it only added emotion and depth to my performance. I felt Colin’s absence next to me, but even before I listened to that first take, I knew it was a keeper.

With one of my hurdles behind me, I steeled myself again and prepared for the musical’s trailer. In a floor-length black cape and purple dress, I swept regally down the steps to my director, who waited outside. Under a gloomy sky that threatened to turn stormy, I boldly strode across the street, tossed a dainty yellow bouquet, and flashed confident grins at all those staring. My grief lurched inside, but I felt powerful. Despite my sadness, I could still make art.

To my own surprise, I successfully took back the day. I had felt pain, but I had not let it drown me – making music was a productive way to express my feelings than worrying. Since then, I have been learning to take better care of myself in difficult situations. That day before rehearsal, I found myself in the most troubling circumstances of my life thus far, but they did not sink me because I refused to sink. When my aunt developed cancer several months later, I knew that resolution would not come quickly, but that I could rely on music to cope with the agony, even when it would be easier to fall apart. Thankfully, Colin recovered from his injuries and was home within days. The next week, we stood together on stage at our show’s opening night. As our eyes met and our voices joined in song, I knew that music would always be our greatest mechanism for transforming pain into strength.

This essay is well-written, as we can feel the writer’s emotions through the thoughts they share, and visualize the night of the performance through their rich descriptions. Their varied sentence length also makes the essay more engaging.

That said, this essay is not a great example because of the framing of the topic. The writer can come off as insensitive since they make their friend’s struggle about themself and their emotions (and this is only worsened by the mention of their aunt’s cancer and how it was tough on them ). The essay would’ve been stronger if it focused on their guilt of not recognizing their friend’s struggles and spanned a longer period of time to demonstrate gradual relationship building and reflection. Still, this would’ve been difficult to do well.

In general, you should try to choose a challenge that is undeniably your own, and you should get at least one or two people to read your essay to give you candid feedback.

Essay 5: Dedicating a Track

“Getting beat is one thing – it’s part of competing – but I want no part in losing.” Coach Rob Stark’s motto never fails to remind me of his encouragement on early-morning bus rides to track meets around the state. I’ve always appreciated the phrase, but an experience last June helped me understand its more profound, universal meaning.

Stark, as we affectionately call him, has coached track at my high school for 25 years. His care, dedication, and emphasis on developing good character has left an enduring impact on me and hundreds of other students. Not only did he help me discover my talent and love for running, but he also taught me the importance of commitment and discipline and to approach every endeavor with the passion and intensity that I bring to running. When I learned a neighboring high school had dedicated their track to a longtime coach, I felt that Stark deserved similar honors.

Our school district’s board of education indicated they would only dedicate our track to Stark if I could demonstrate that he was extraordinary. I took charge and mobilized my teammates to distribute petitions, reach out to alumni, and compile statistics on the many team and individual champions Stark had coached over the years. We received astounding support, collecting almost 3,000 signatures and pages of endorsements from across the community. With help from my teammates, I presented this evidence to the board.

They didn’t bite. 

Most members argued that dedicating the track was a low priority. Knowing that we had to act quickly to convince them of its importance, I called a team meeting where we drafted a rebuttal for the next board meeting. To my surprise, they chose me to deliver it. I was far from the best public speaker in the group, and I felt nervous about going before the unsympathetic board again. However, at that second meeting, I discovered that I enjoy articulating and arguing for something that I’m passionate about.

Public speaking resembles a cross country race. Walking to the starting line, you have to trust your training and quell your last minute doubts. When the gun fires, you can’t think too hard about anything; your performance has to be instinctual, natural, even relaxed. At the next board meeting, the podium was my starting line. As I walked up to it, familiar butterflies fluttered in my stomach. Instead of the track stretching out in front of me, I faced the vast audience of teachers, board members, and my teammates. I felt my adrenaline build, and reassured myself: I’ve put in the work, my argument is powerful and sound. As the board president told me to introduce myself, I heard, “runners set” in the back of my mind. She finished speaking, and Bang! The brief silence was the gunshot for me to begin. 

The next few minutes blurred together, but when the dust settled, I knew from the board members’ expressions and the audience’s thunderous approval that I had run quite a race. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough; the board voted down our proposal. I was disappointed, but proud of myself, my team, and our collaboration off the track. We stood up for a cause we believed in, and I overcame my worries about being a leader. Although I discovered that changing the status quo through an elected body can be a painstakingly difficult process and requires perseverance, I learned that I enjoy the challenges this effort offers. Last month, one of the school board members joked that I had become a “regular” – I now often show up to meetings to advocate for a variety of causes, including better environmental practices in cafeterias and safer equipment for athletes.

Just as Stark taught me, I worked passionately to achieve my goal. I may have been beaten when I appealed to the board, but I certainly didn’t lose, and that would have made Stark proud.

While the writer didn’t succeed in getting the track dedicated to Coach Stark, their essay is certainly successful in showing their willingness to push themselves and take initiative.

The essay opens with a quote from Coach Stark that later comes full circle at the end of the essay. We learn about Stark’s impact and the motivation for trying to get the track dedicated to him.

One of the biggest areas of improvement in the intro, however, is how the essay tells us Stark’s impact rather than showing us: His care, dedication, and emphasis on developing good character has left an enduring impact on me and hundreds of other students. Not only did he help me discover my talent and love for running, but he also taught me the importance of commitment and discipline and to approach every endeavor with the passion and intensity that I bring to running.

The writer could’ve helped us feel a stronger emotional connection to Stark if they had included examples of Stark’s qualities, rather than explicitly stating them. For example, they could’ve written something like: Stark was the kind of person who would give you gas money if you told him your parents couldn’t afford to pick you up from practice. And he actually did that—several times. At track meets, alumni regularly would come talk to him and tell him how he’d changed their lives. Before Stark, I was ambivalent about running and was on the JV team, but his encouragement motivated me to run longer and harder and eventually make varsity. Because of him, I approach every endeavor with the passion and intensity that I bring to running.

The essay goes on to explain how the writer overcame their apprehension of public speaking, and likens the process of submitting an appeal to the school board to running a race. This metaphor makes the writing more engaging and allows us to feel the student’s emotions.

While the student didn’t ultimately succeed in getting the track dedicated, we learn about their resilience and initiative: I now often show up to meetings to advocate for a variety of causes, including better environmental practices in cafeterias and safer equipment for athletes.

Overall, this essay is well-done. It demonstrates growth despite failing to meet a goal, which is a unique essay structure. The running metaphor and full-circle intro/ending also elevate the writing in this essay.

Essay 6: Body Image

CW: This essay mentions eating disorders.

I press the “discover” button on my Instagram app, hoping to find enticing pictures to satisfy my boredom. Scrolling through, I see funny videos and mouth-watering pictures of food. However, one image stops me immediately. A fit teenage girl with a “perfect body” relaxes in a bikini on a beach. Beneath it, I see a slew of flattering comments. I shake with disapproval over the image’s unrealistic quality. However, part of me still wants to have a body like hers so that others will make similar comments to me.

I would like to resolve a silent issue that harms many teenagers and adults: negative self image and low self-esteem in a world where social media shapes how people view each other. When people see the façades others wear to create an “ideal” image, they can develop poor thought patterns rooted in negative self-talk. The constant comparisons to “perfect” others make people feel small. In this new digital age, it is hard to distinguish authentic from artificial representations.

When I was 11, I developed anorexia nervosa. Though I was already thin, I wanted to be skinny like the models that I saw on the magazine covers on the grocery store stands. Little did I know that those models probably also suffered from disorders, and that photoshop erased their flaws. I preferred being underweight to being healthy. No matter how little I ate or how thin I was, I always thought that I was too fat. I became obsessed with the number on the scale and would try to eat the least that I could without my parents urging me to take more. Fortunately, I stopped engaging in anorexic behaviors before middle school. However, my underlying mental habits did not change. The images that had provoked my disorder in the first place were still a constant presence in my life.

By age 15, I was in recovery from anorexia, but suffered from depression. While I used to only compare myself to models, the growth of social media meant I also compared myself to my friends and acquaintances. I felt left out when I saw my friends’ excitement about lake trips they had taken without me. As I scrolled past endless photos of my flawless, thin classmates with hundreds of likes and affirming comments, I felt my jealousy spiral. I wanted to be admired and loved by other people too. However, I felt that I could never be enough. I began to hate the way that I looked, and felt nothing in my life was good enough. I wanted to be called “perfect” and “body goals,” so I tried to only post at certain times of day to maximize my “likes.” When that didn’t work, I started to feel too anxious to post anything at all.  

Body image insecurities and social media comparisons affect thousands of people – men, women, children, and adults – every day. I am lucky – after a few months of my destructive social media habits, I came across a video that pointed out the illusory nature of social media; many Instagram posts only show off good things while people hide their flaws. I began going to therapy, and recovered from my depression. To address the problem of self-image and social media, we can all focus on what matters on the inside and not what is on the surface. As an effort to become healthy internally, I started a club at my school to promote clean eating and radiating beauty from within. It has helped me grow in my confidence, and today I’m not afraid to show others my struggles by sharing my experience with eating disorders. Someday, I hope to make this club a national organization to help teenagers and adults across the country. I support the idea of body positivity and embracing difference, not “perfection.” After all, how can we be ourselves if we all look the same?

This essay covers the difficult topics of eating disorders and mental health. If you’re thinking about covering similar topics in your essay, we recommend reading our post Should You Talk About Mental Health in College Essays?

The short answer is that, yes, you can talk about mental health, but it can be risky. If you do go that route, it’s important to focus on what you learned from the experience.

We can see that the writer of this essay has been through a lot, and a strength of their essay is their vulnerability, in excerpts such as this: I wanted to be admired and loved by other people too. However, I felt that I could never be enough. I began to hate the way that I looked, and felt nothing in my life was good enough. I wanted to be called “perfect” and “body goals,” so I tried to only post at certain times of day to maximize my “likes.”

The student goes on to share how they recovered from their depression through an eye-opening video and therapy sessions, and they’re now helping others find their self-worth as well. It’s great that this essay looks towards the future and shares the writer’s goals of making their club a national organization; we can see their ambition and compassion.

The main weakness of this essay is that it doesn’t focus enough on their recovery process, which is arguably the most important part. They could’ve told us more about the video they watched or the process of starting their club and the interactions they’ve had with other members.

Still, this essay shows us that this student is honest, self-aware, and caring, which are all qualities admissions officer are looking for.

Essay 7: Health Crisis

Tears streamed down my face and my mind was paralyzed with fear. Sirens blared, but the silent panic in my own head was deafening. I was muted by shock. A few hours earlier, I had anticipated a vacation in Washington, D.C., but unexpectedly, I was rushing to the hospital behind an ambulance carrying my mother. As a fourteen-year-old from a single mother household, without a driver’s license, and seven hours from home, I was distraught over the prospect of losing the only parent I had. My fear turned into action as I made some of the bravest decisions of my life. 

Three blood transfusions later, my mother’s condition was stable, but we were still states away from home, so I coordinated with my mother’s doctors in North Carolina to schedule the emergency operation that would save her life. Throughout her surgery, I anxiously awaited any word from her surgeon, but each time I asked, I was told that there had been another complication or delay. Relying on my faith and positive attitude, I remained optimistic that my mother would survive and that I could embrace new responsibilities.

My mother had been a source of strength for me, and now I would be strong for her through her long recovery ahead. As I started high school, everyone thought the crisis was over, but it had really just started to impact my life. My mother was often fatigued, so I assumed more responsibility, juggling family duties, school, athletics, and work. I made countless trips to the neighborhood pharmacy, cooked dinner, biked to the grocery store, supported my concerned sister, and provided the loving care my mother needed to recover. I didn’t know I was capable of such maturity and resourcefulness until it was called upon. Each day was a stage in my gradual transformation from dependence to relative independence.

Throughout my mother’s health crisis, I matured by learning to put others’ needs before my own. As I worried about my mother’s health, I took nothing for granted, cherished what I had, and used my daily activities as motivation to move forward. I now take ownership over small decisions such as scheduling daily appointments and managing my time but also over major decisions involving my future, including the college admissions process. Although I have become more independent, my mother and I are inseparably close, and the realization that I almost lost her affects me daily. Each morning, I wake up ten minutes early simply to eat breakfast with my mother and spend time with her before our busy days begin. I am aware of how quickly life can change. My mother remains a guiding force in my life, but the feeling of empowerment I discovered within myself is the ultimate form of my independence. Though I thought the summer before my freshman year would be a transition from middle school to high school, it was a transformation from childhood to adulthood.

This essay feels real and tells readers a lot about the writer. To start at the beginning, the intro is 10/10. It has drama, it has emotions, and it has the reader wanting more.

And, when you keep going, you get to learn a lot about a very resilient and mature student. Through sentences like “I made countless trips to the neighborhood pharmacy, cooked dinner, biked to the grocery store, supported my concerned sister, and provided the loving care my mother needed to recover” and “Relying on my faith and positive attitude, I remained optimistic that my mother would survive and that I could embrace new responsibilities,” the reader shows us that they are aware of their resilience and maturity, but are not arrogant about it. It is simply a fact that they have proven through their actions!

This essay makes us want to cheer for the writer, and they certainly seem like someone who would thrive in a more independent college environment.

Essay 8: Turned Tables

“You ruined my life!” After months of quiet anger, my brother finally confronted me. To my shame, I had been appallingly ignorant of his pain.

Despite being twins, Max and I are profoundly different. Having intellectual interests from a young age that, well, interested very few of my peers, I often felt out of step in comparison with my highly-social brother. Everything appeared to come effortlessly for Max and, while we share an extremely tight bond, his frequent time away with friends left me feeling more and more alone as we grew older.

When my parents learned about The Green Academy, we hoped it would be an opportunity for me to find not only an academically challenging environment, but also – perhaps more importantly – a community. This meant transferring the family from Drumfield to Kingston. And while there was concern about Max, we all believed that given his sociable nature, moving would be far less impactful on him than staying put might be on me.

As it turned out, Green Academy was everything I’d hoped for. I was ecstatic to discover a group of students with whom I shared interests and could truly engage. Preoccupied with new friends and a rigorous course load, I failed to notice that the tables had turned. Max, lost in the fray and grappling with how to make connections in his enormous new high school, had become withdrawn and lonely. It took me until Christmas time – and a massive argument – to recognize how difficult the transition had been for my brother, let alone that he blamed me for it.

Through my own journey of searching for academic peers, in addition to coming out as gay when I was 12, I had developed deep empathy for those who had trouble fitting in. It was a pain I knew well and could easily relate to. Yet after Max’s outburst, my first response was to protest that our parents – not I – had chosen to move us here. In my heart, though, I knew that regardless of who had made the decision, we ended up in Kingston for my benefit. I was ashamed that, while I saw myself as genuinely compassionate, I had been oblivious to the heartache of the person closest to me. I could no longer ignore it – and I didn’t want to.

We stayed up half the night talking, and the conversation took an unexpected turn. Max opened up and shared that it wasn’t just about the move. He told me how challenging school had always been for him, due to his dyslexia, and that the ever-present comparison to me had only deepened his pain.

We had been in parallel battles the whole time and, yet, I only saw that Max was in distress once he experienced problems with which I directly identified. I’d long thought Max had it so easy – all because he had friends. The truth was, he didn’t need to experience my personal brand of sorrow in order for me to relate – he had felt plenty of his own.

My failure to recognize Max’s suffering brought home for me the profound universality and diversity of personal struggle; everyone has insecurities, everyone has woes, and everyone – most certainly – has pain. I am acutely grateful for the conversations he and I shared around all of this, because I believe our relationship has been fundamentally strengthened by a deeper understanding of one another. Further, this experience has reinforced the value of constantly striving for deeper sensitivity to the hidden struggles of those around me. I won’t make the mistake again of assuming that the surface of someone’s life reflects their underlying story.

Here you can find a prime example that you don’t have to have fabulous imagery or flowery prose to write a successful essay. You just have to be clear and say something that matters. This essay is simple and beautiful. It almost feels like having a conversation with a friend and learning that they are an even better person than you already thought they were.

Through this narrative, readers learn a lot about the writer—where they’re from, what their family life is like, what their challenges were as a kid, and even their sexuality. We also learn a lot about their values—notably, the value they place on awareness, improvement, and consideration of others. Though they never explicitly state it (which is great because it is still crystal clear!), this student’s ending of “I won’t make the mistake again of assuming that the surface of someone’s life reflects their underlying story” shows that they are constantly striving for improvement and finding lessons anywhere they can get them in life.

Where to Get Your Overcoming Challenges Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your Overcoming Challenges essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

• Essay Guide
• Thesis Guide
• Student Tips

How to Write a Personal Challenge Essay (with Examples)

A personal challenge essay offers a singular chance for introspection and personal development. It gives you a chance to consider your past, face difficulties, and demonstrate your tenacity. This essay structure enables you to communicate your ideas and experiences with others, regardless of whether you’ve overcome hardship, dealt with a tricky circumstance, or chased an audacious goal. You’ll walk you through the phases of writing an engaging personal challenge essay in this in-depth guide, complete with samples that demonstrate the procedure.

Understanding the Personal Challenge Essay

The Personal challenges in life as a student essay asks you to describe an instance or time in your life when you had to overcome challenges, setbacks, or barriers. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate your resilience, your capacity to face adversity, and the lessons you’ve picked up along the road. This kind of article necessitates reflection, sincerity, and skillful narrative.

Selecting a Meaningful Challenge

It’s important to pick the correct challenge to write about. Think about Personal challenges in life as a student essay that profoundly influenced your development, principles, or attitude on life. It can have been an obstacle you overcame in your studies, relationships, sense of self, or any other area of your life. The task should have personal significance for you and provide information that your audience can relate to.

Structuring Your Personal Challenge Essay

To effectively portray your experiences, feelings, and growth, writing an engaging personal challenge essay involves careful thought and a well-organized format. The following steps will show you how to organize your essay such that it presents a logical and interesting story:

Introduction:

Beginning your essay with an attention-grabbing hook that draws the reader in and highlights the topic of the difficulty you’ll be exploring is a good idea. This might be a provocative inquiry, a moving saying, a detailed account, or a first-hand account associated with your issue.

Background & Context:

Make sure the reader has all the background knowledge they need to comprehend your dilemma. Describe the context, surroundings, and any other pertinent information that establishes the scene for your narrative. Additionally, you have the choice to ask for assistance from PhD thesis writing help if you run into difficulties when writing the background and context of your thesis or dissertation or if you are unsure owing to a lack of experience. They can offer helpful assistance to improve the caliber of your work.

The Challenge:

Describe the challenge in detail in a portion of your essay. When describing the challenges, difficulties, or setbacks you encountered, be descriptive and in-depth.

Your Reaction and Result:

Write about how you responded to the challenge in this part. What steps have you taken? Did you make crucial decisions, prepare a plan, or ask for assistance? Be sure to emphasize your ability to solve problems, tenacity, and any other traits that may have helped you overcome the obstacle.

Growth and Reflection:

Consider the encounter and share what you took away from it. What effects did the challenge have on your emotions, mind, and possibly even body? What new understandings did you get about who you are, your values, or your outlook on life? Describe how you overcame the obstacle to grow personally, discover yourself, or alter your perspective.

Takeaways & Lessons:

The exact lessons you took away from overcoming the obstacle should be highlighted. What priceless knowledge, abilities, or traits did you acquire as a result? Describe how these teachings have shaped your current behavior, choices, or attitude in life.

Conclusion:

Writing a compelling conclusion that connects everything can help you to conclude your essay. Write a summary of your shared journey, highlighting your personal development and new perspectives.

Include a Call to Action (Optional):

Depending on the nature of your issue, you might want to include a call to action that prompts the reader to reflect on their own issues, take action, or adopt a particular attitude.

After you’ve finished writing the essay, take some time to review and make any necessary changes. Check that the grammar, spelling, and punctuation in your writing are correct, as well as the flow.

Maintain You’re Authentic Voice Throughout the Essay:

While it’s crucial to follow a structured methodology, don’t forget to preserve your authentic voice. Remain sincere, honest, and personal in your writing. Your unique perspective and emotions will lend greater authenticity to your writing and make it more compelling. By adhering to the instructions outlined in this comprehensive guide, you’ll effectively organize your personal challenge essay. This approach will skillfully lead your readers through your journey, captivating their attention and leaving a memorable impression. Furthermore, if you find it challenging to maintain a systematic approach, consider seeking assistance from master thesis writing help. Their expertise can aid you in completing your work with precision and coherence.

Don’ts and Dos

Be upfront and honest when discussing your experiences. Do emphasize your development and lessons acquired. To keep the reader’s attention, employ colorful language and descriptions. Don’t make up or embellish details. Instead of blaming others for the difficulty, concentrate on your solution. Choose a challenge that had a significant influence rather than one that was inconsequential.

Examples of Personal Challenge Essays

Following are the Personal challenge essay examples:

Overcoming Academic Challenges:

Navigating the challenges we face in life essay can be a transformative journey that leads to personal growth and self-discovery. A prime example of this is when I confronted a series of academic setbacks. I realized that my ingrained fear of failing was standing in the way of my development. I, however, resisted allowing this fear to direct my course. I started a quest for self-improvement with pure tenacity. I reached out for guidance and support, shedding light on the power of seeking assistance when needed.

Overcoming Fear:

For instance, I had always been terrified of public speaking, but I had to face my phobia to present in front of a large crowd. I overcame my anxiety about public speaking over time with practice and confidence, and I also acquired speaking abilities that I still use today.

Dealing with Personal Loss:

Losing a loved one was a difficult emotional experience that altered my outlook on relationships and life. I learned the value of cherishing moments and helping others in need through my grief and contemplation.

Examples of challenges you have overcome as a student essay

I have encountered a range of challenges as a student, which has pushed my perseverance, adaptability, and resilience to the test. Even though they occasionally proved to be challenging, these obstacles ultimately helped me become a better and more capable individual. Here are a few instances of obstacles I overcame in my academic career:

Time Management Challenges:

Juggling schoolwork, assignments, extracurricular activities, and personal obligations can be difficult. There were times when I struggled to adequately manage my time, which resulted in missed deadlines and frustration. To overcome this difficulty, I started adopting time management strategies like making a thorough calendar, establishing priorities, and breaking work down into smaller, more manageable pieces. I became more organized about my obligations over time, which led to increased productivity and decreased stress. Furthermore, many students pursuing careers in the medical field face similarly demanding schedules that make it challenging to meet deadlines. In such cases, they often turn to nursing research paper writing services to ensure the quality and timeliness of their assignments.

Academic Setbacks:

It was demoralizing to experience academic setbacks, such as earning lower grades than expected. I decided to take advantage of these setbacks as chances for improvement rather than giving in to self-doubt. I requested input from my lecturers, made note of my weaknesses, and put focused study techniques into practice. I was able to improve my academic performance and regain my confidence by persevering and being willing to learn from my failures.

Language Barrier:

Navigating English as a second language introduced a unique set of challenges, especially in terms of effective communication and the completion of writing assignments. In essays and presentations, I often encountered hurdles in articulating my thoughts coherently and concisely. To overcome this hurdle, I actively expanded my vocabulary, engaged in consistent reading and writing exercises, and actively sought input from peers and professors. Furthermore, this drive to enhance my linguistic abilities not only improved my communication skills but also bolstered my confidence in expressing myself in academic and professional settings. My determination to conquer these language-related challenges demonstrates my commitment to growth and adaptability, qualities that I believe would make me a strong candidate for the Harvard Scholarship Essay .

Dynamics of Group Projects:

Due to the various work habits, schedules, and perspectives held by the group members, collaborative projects have occasionally proven to be difficult. I adopted efficient communication techniques, such as active listening and open discussion, to handle these circumstances. By praising each team member’s abilities and accomplishments, I helped to create a more effective and pleasant working atmosphere.

Personal Well-Being and Health:

It can be difficult to maintain a good balance between your personal needs and your academic obligations. I have occasionally overlooked my needs, which has resulted in burnout and a decline in drive. I gave exercise, wholesome eating, and regular breaks top priority since I understood how important self-care was. This all-encompassing strategy not only increased my general well-being but also sharpened my attention and increased my output. These examples collectively constitute my challenges in life as a student essay. They serve as valuable lessons that offer insights on how to navigate and overcome various situations.

How to Revise and Improve Your Essay

For instance, if you are given a topic such as “Essay on Environmental Problems and Their Solutions” and you’re not well-versed in it, it’s advisable to invest time in research. This will enable you to create quality content for your essay. After writing your personal challenge essay, it’s essential to engage in the editing and revision process. Ensure that your essay flows logically and that your ideas are well-organized. Edit for clarity, grammar, and punctuation. If you’re seeking a comprehensive perspective, consider seeking feedback from peers, professors, or mentors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final thoughts.

Writing a personal challenge essay offers you the chance to share your unique journey and inspire others through your resilience and progress you can create an engaging tale that engrosses your readers by choosing a pertinent challenge, using a solid essay structure, and remaining honest. It’s crucial to remember that your essay about a personal issue demonstrates both your capacity for self-reflection and personal development in addition to your capacity for overcoming challenges. For those who face challenges in managing their academic tasks, there are online homework writing services available that can provide valuable assistance and support.

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1.2 Your Academic Journey and Personal Story

Questions to Consider:

• How can your academic journey develop skills needed for college success?
• How can your personal story prepare you for applying to college?

Your Academic Journey

Now that you have a better understanding of what college can do for you, it is time to focus on how high school is preparing you for college, or better yet, how you can prepare yourself in high school to become college ready. It is clear that what you do (or don’t do) in high school can affect your ability to get into the colleges of your choice, but there is more to preparing yourself than just earning a high GPA or class rank. Your high school education can provide you with ample opportunity to help you hone your academic skills.

Take Difficult Courses

Any student who is serious about applying to college should consider taking challenging classes while in high school. Why? Because those classes can help lay a foundation of high expectations and hard work and they are often highly regarded by college admissions counselors. These classes are sometimes called Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or honors/advanced classes. If you are considering taking such courses, talk to your guidance counselor or current teachers. They may be able to offer suggestions for how to get selected (if there is an application process) and give you a realistic picture of what will be expected. There is no need to take all AP, IB, or advanced classes to prove you are ready for college, but taking a few can provide a college admissions committee evidence that you are open to challenge.

Manage Time and Tasks

If there is one skill that you can develop now that will help you throughout your college career, it is the ability to manage your time and complete tasks. If you already use a planner to track what you need to do and when it is due , then you are on the right track. You can enhance these skills by setting reminders for yourself—and not relying on teachers or parents to tell you when to complete or submit an assignment. The most important part of managing your time and tasks effectively is to build in time well before something is due to complete the work and to overestimate (at least initially) how long you need, which can provide time “buffers” that will keep you from rushing through work to finish it.

Learn to Learn

Earlier, you were introduced to the argument that the purpose of college is to become a learner. You don’t have to wait until college, though, to figure out how best to learn different subject matters. This is one reason you should consider taking challenging classes–they require that you put more time and effort in them to learn the material. And those skills will make transitioning to college much easier. How can you “learn to learn”? You may have little control over what you are learning and how you are tested, but you can control how you approach the learning. One way to learn how to learn is to space out your learning over time (as best as you can—sometimes teachers like to give you a pop quiz when you least expect it!). Reviewing a bit of material for a short amount of time over several days (as opposed to cramming it in right before a test) produces better results. Another way to learn how to learn is to monitor how well your learning strategies work. Did you do well on a test? Take some time to reflect on what you did that resulted in a good grade. Did you space out your studying? Did you look for connections in the material? Likewise, if you do poorly on a test, determine what led to the result. The more you can identify what works and doesn’t for you, the easier it is to make improvements in your learning strategies.

Demonstrate Integrity and Ownership of Learning

Being a high school student often means having a lot on your plate. It can be easy to put off homework and studying, not do it at all, or cut corners to complete the work. While you may be able to get away with some stumbles like forgetting to turn in an assignment, other behaviors, such as getting someone (including Artificial Intelligence software) to do your homework or write a paper for you can get you into trouble. Now is the time to build the skills you will need later in college. Taking full responsibility for your learning as well as demonstrating integrity in all assignments no matter how big or small are the foundation of those skills. How do you do this? For one, you acknowledge that every action or inaction will produce a result. If you put in the work to write the paper, you will earn the grade you receive. If you do not put in the work or find a way to shortcut the process by using someone else’s writing, then you have missed an opportunity to improve your writing, your thinking, and your project management skills. Plus, you may get into trouble for academic dishonesty, which could mean failing an assignment or a course, or getting a more substantial punishment, such as expulsion. The stakes only get higher when you are in college.

Keep Test Scores in Perspective

You will learn more about standardized test scores and their purpose for getting into college later in this chapter, but it is worth noting that while what you make on the ACT, SAT, or equivalent standardized test, may factor into your ability to get into and pay for the college of your dreams, it is not necessarily a reflection of who you are and what you are capable of. Definitely do all you can to raise your test scores through practicing, prepping, and doing your best on the day of the test. But do not assume that a low test score will be the end of your long-term goals or educational journey. They are just one piece of information by which an institution may evaluate your potential, but it shouldn’t be the only thing that tells who you are.

Your Personal Story

Just as important as your academic journey is your personal story. You will need to develop and reflect on both for your applications to college and scholarships. Those who read about you will want to know not only about your accomplishments, but also your challenges and how you have overcome them.

What Makes You Unique

It may seem cliché to say “There is only one you!” But there is some truth in the fact that you are unique—there is no one else like you. To that end, you may want to draw upon those unique characteristics as you begin to shape the story that you will share with college admissions staff and scholarship committees. Will you be the first in your family to go to college? Do you live on a working farm and feed the goats, cows, and horses every morning before school? Can you ride a unicycle or juggle or both? There may be both personal characteristics as well as experiences that make you stand out from others, and if there are, consider weaving these details into the tapestry of your story. Start by making a list of your characteristics—no trait is too small or typical at this point. You can eliminate items later when you start building your story, but for now, create the list and add to it as you think of new things that you are or can do.

Getting Gritty

Many college essay prompts include an opportunity to share a time in your life in which you faced adversity and overcame it. For some students, this prompt is difficult for they have either not experienced a life-changing setback or not considered themselves challenged. It is important to remember that any setback or disappointment—no matter how inconsequential it may seem to you—can be the basis for an essay that responds to such a prompt. There is no need to embellish the circumstance if it is truly not harrowing, but it is acceptable to frame the experience as something that was difficult for you. Most readers of essays are less looking for a made-for-Hollywood story and more wanting to see someone who has demonstrated tenacity, resilience, and reflection no matter how big or small the adversity is. Even if you are not required to write an essay on a time in your life in which you failed or experienced disappointment, having a story handy for interviews (for scholarships, internships, or jobs) can help you share insight into your personality and strengths in a succinct way.

Finding the Themes of Your Life

In Katharine Brooks’ (2010) book You Majored in What? 3 she shares a writing and reflecting activity called “Wandering Pathways and Butterfly Moments” that guides readers through a series of prompts to develop a list of life experiences for the purpose of discovering what career pathway may be most fruitful for them to pursue. These life experiences could be as monumental as moving to a new state and starting a new school or they can be as mundane as spending the summers fishing. The goal of the exercise is to record what you have done or what has happened to you to get a sense of a “story.” These stories are built upon the connections and themes that you see in the experiences. Here are some of the life experiences Brooks wants you to consider when you are crafting your personal story.

• What have you done during the summer or holiday breaks from school?
• What did you play when you were a young child?
• What are some of your major life experiences (e.g. family events such as births, deaths, marriages, divorces)?
• What do people say you do well or have a talent for or seek you out for?
• What do you consider your greatest achievements?
• What jobs have you had?
• What groups have you belonged to?
• What awards have you won?
• What lessons have you learned?
• What do you like to do for fun?
• What kind of “secret” talent do you have?

The goal of answering the questions is to capture as much about who you are and how you have been shaped to develop clear connections among the life elements and create themes. These themes can drive your personal story that can share on a deeper level who you are or who you are becoming.

Consider this scenario: Raphael has taken the time to write down his life experiences so he can build his personal narrative. Some of the answers to the questions above include the following:

• Raphael’s jobs: lifeguard, babysitter for his nieces and nephews, tutor, art teacher for elementary students
• Raphael’s hobbies and interests: watching old movies, volunteering at the library, creating original jewelry from natural objects
• Raphael’s awards and accolades: he won a writing contest in 11th grade, his friends come to him for advice, he has earned high grades in all of his classes
• Raphael’s major life events: parents divorced when he was 6 years old, he started a new school in junior high, his aunt passed away when he was 14 years old

From this short list, Raphael can begin to draw out themes that he can use to create a detailed picture of who he is. He has found himself in teaching roles with his jobs. He has a love for the arts as evidenced by his hobbies. He is a good communicator evidenced by his awards and accolades, and relationships are an important part of his life. Raphael can use those themes—and details from his experiences—to craft his story as someone who has demonstrated an interest in connecting with and helping others by sharing his expertise and experience.

Recognizing the themes in your life helps you to describe how you've become the person you are now, and helps you to understand who you will become.

"For me, becoming isn't about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn't end" —former First Lady Michelle Obama , Becoming (2018)

Analysis Question

In what ways is your academic journey in high school shaping your personal narrative? Describe how the following experiences are helping you “become":

• The classes that you are taking
• The activities you participate in as part of school (e.g., sports, performing arts, etc.)
• The learning that you are doing outside of school (e.g., community language class)

In what ways are your personal experiences shaping your story? Describe how the following experiences are helping you “become”:

• Major life events
• Favorite activities
• Awards and accomplishments
• Jobs or volunteer work
• 3 Brooks, K.(2010). You majored in what? Plume.

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Essays About Journeys: Top 5 Examples and 7 Easy Prompts

Essays about journeys require recounting the events of your travel. Discover our guide with examples and prompts to help you write your essay .

No two journeys are the same, and various factors will always be at play. It’s the reason many documents their expedition through different mediums. Writing about journeys is similar to telling a real-life story that influenced your character or perspective. 

Writing essays about journeys helps to develop your writing and observation skills as you recall and pick the highlights of your travel. Sharing your experiences can entice readers to take on a journey themselves. So, aim to inspire with this exciting essay topic.

5 Essay Examples

1. the best journey in my life by suzanne pittman, 2. road trips: everything you need for a comfortable journey by car by anonymous on gradesfixer.com, 3. the first day of my journey to adulthood by anonymous on papersowl.com, 4. life is a journey essay by anonymous on paperwritings.com, 5. long essay on train journey by prasanna, 1. reasons to go on a journey, 2. trip vs. journey, 3. how to enjoy long journeys, 4. my most memorable journey, 5. what makes a journey meaningful, 6. my dream journey, 7. a hero’s journey.

“I had to save a lot of money because I wanted very much to go on this journey with my friends. We planned our trip to take us around Europe. We were going to stop in various parts of Europe with family members and friends.”

The essay mimics Pittman’s travel itinerary during her journey in Europe. She includes all the trip details from the first to the last day and makes the readers feel as if they’re traveling with them. Pittman also offers some travel tips to help anyone who wants to visit Europe on a budget. These tips include staying with friends and relatives and taking comfortable train rides despite long distances.

“With proper planning, everything else seems effortless. You need to consider all factors when planning in order for you to enjoy a successful, stress-free adventure.”

The author believes that the primary purpose of traveling is to relax and have fun. They use the essay to teach how to plan car trips properly. Travelers must learn to budget and estimate expenses, including accommodation, gas, activities, and food. Picking a transportation means is also crucial as one needs to consider factors such as capacity, range, and utility. 

“Although things didn’t go how I planned I’m still in college bettering myself and furthering my education. Anything is possible with a good support system and positive mindset.”

The essay narrates how the author’s journey into adulthood becomes a mini-vacation in Georgia after their top university rejects their enrollment. This rejection offers the opportunity to understand many great life lessons. Despite having five other universities to choose from, the writer realizes they only provide free tuition for the first semester. Ultimately, the author receives a full scholarship to a university closer to home.

“All people have the same journey to take – their life. As well as in the other journeys, there may be some inconveniences, disappointments and joys, and a lot depends on how we plan this particular journey and what attitude we develop towards it.”

In this essay , the writer shares that the best way to go on a life journey is with the most joy and minor damage you can endure. It’s constant work to continuously improve one’s life while developing positive qualities and thinking. But in doing so, you’ll have a solid foundation to achieve what you want out of life. However, the author still reminds the readers that they should always be ready to face unexpected events and deal with them in the best way possible.

“These days, people prefer traveling via airplanes because it is time-saving. But going by plane gets boring and monotonous. Train journeys are a relief from the monotony.”

For Prasanna, whether it’s a short or extended tour, a train journey offers an exciting travel experience . She talks about the local and regional trains in India, which are often overcrowded but still used by many as they are the cheapest, safest, and fastest mode of transport in the country. She also mentions that you’ll never get hungry when riding their local trains because of the vendors who sell Indian delicacies. 

7 Prompts for Essays About Journeys 

Everyone has different motives for traveling. Some go on a journey to appreciate beautiful sceneries, while some move to attend family or work-related gatherings. Some do so to run away from problems. For this prompt, research the common reasons to travel. You can also interview people on why they go on a journey and add any personal experiences. 

It’s a trip when a person travels from one point to another without any transfers. Meanwhile, a journey is a more extended voyage that includes transfers and several trips. Compare and contrast trips and journeys to make your readers understand their similarities and differences. You can also have the advantages and disadvantages of each in your paper.

If writing an essay sounds like a lot of work, simplify it. Write a simple 5 paragraph essay instead.

The idea of having a long journey and discovering new things is exciting. However, the excitement can disappear when you’re far away from home. This is especially true for longer and farther travels. This prompt will help readers have a safer, more affordable, and more enjoyable trip by discussing the best long-distance travel tips. You can present an imaginary itinerary with estimated costs to make the essay more digestible.

Write about an unforgettable journey you’ve had through this prompt. Include the purpose of your travel, how you planned it, and if your timetable was followed. Share what you’ll improve on next time to make your journey even better; you can also talk about your companions and the activities that make the adventure worthwhile.

Journeys become meaningful when they enrich lives. It can be because of the destination, the people you are with, or the travel’s goal. Use this prompt to suggest how journeys improve us as humans. You can section your piece based on an individual’s objectives. For example, someone who wants to recharge and get away from the city will find meaning in going to a location far from technology.

Although traveling can be tiring, 43% of travelers appreciate the experience they gain. Think of journeys you desire to be in and add your reasons. Then, you can share your plan on how to make it happen. For instance, you want to tour Southeast Asia and visit countries like the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand. To make this dream journey come true, you’ll save for an entire year and work around a tight budget.

It’s normal to see the main character in a movie or novel go through a character arc before they become a true hero. Use this prompt to explain a hero’s journey and why the character must go through it. To give you an idea, Peter Parker was a shy and introverted kid who lived an everyday life before becoming Spider-Man. This makes him relatable to the audience and lets them understand his decisions in the following scenes.

For more examples, check out our guide to movies that follow the hero’s journey .

You can also talk about real-life heroes, such as doctors and firefighters. Interview someone with that profession and ask them why they decided to have their current career.

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Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first woman president of an African nation, gave the Commencement address at Thursday’s (May 26) afternoon ceremonies in Harvard’s Tercentenary Theatre. She told graduating seniors of the challenges she faced and urged them to be fearless when facing the future. “I always maintained the conviction that my country and people are so much better than our recent history indicates,” said the Liberian president.

Katherine C. Cohen/Harvard Staff Photographer

A difficult journey, a brighter future

Alvin Powell

Harvard Staff Writer

Liberia’s president tells Harvard graduates to dream big

Liberia’s “Iron Lady,” President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, urged Harvard graduates to be fearless when facing the future, to dream big, and to resist cynicism despite the difficulties and failures they will face in life.

Sirleaf, a Harvard Kennedy School alumna who in 2006 became the first woman president of an African nation, gave the Commencement address at Thursday’s (May 26) afternoon ceremonies in Harvard’s Tercentenary Theatre. She told graduating seniors of the challenges she faced during her groundbreaking, zigzagging journey to the president’s office. Those challenges included prison sentences, death threats, and years of exile.

“We all persisted. I always maintained the conviction that my country and people are so much better than our recent history indicates,” Sirleaf said. “I believe I am a better leader, a better person, with a richer appreciation for the present because of my past.”

Sirleaf received an honorary doctor of laws degree earlier in the day. Along with her award, more than 7,200 degrees and certificates were awarded to Harvard College seniors and graduate students. Honorary degrees were awarded to luminaries in various fields, including legendary tenor Plácido Domingo and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Harvard marked its upcoming 375th anniversary and its roots as an institution dedicated to educating both English and Native American youth by awarding a posthumous degree to Joel Iacoomes, one of the original Wampanoag students at the College. Iacoomes completed his studies but died in a shipwreck before graduating in 1665. His fellow Wampanoag and classmate, Caleb Cheeshahteaumuck, did graduate that year. Their modern counterpart, College senior Tiffany Smalley, the first Wampanoag to graduate since Cheeshahteaumuck, also received her degree Thursday.

Degrees were awarded during the morning in an outdoor ceremony packed with centuries of tradition at America’s oldest institution of higher education. Sirleaf delivered her remarks during the Afternoon Exercises, which doubles as the annual meeting of the Harvard Alumni Association . During that session, Harvard’s alumni welcome the morning’s graduates into their global community of 360,000 alumni in 185 countries.

Harvard President Drew Faust also addressed the crowd of newly minted graduates, their families, and friends, saying that universities are among “humanity’s greatest innovations,” and that, because of the times, the power of knowledge is greater than ever.

“Perhaps every generation believes that it lives in special times, and perhaps every cohort of graduates is told just that at ceremonies like these,” Faust said. “But both the depth of the challenges we face and the power of knowledge — and thus of universities — to address them is unprecedented. Harvard must embrace this responsibility …”

Faust called on America’s budget-cutting leaders to recognize the importance of education to improve people’s lives and to bolster the economy. During the recent recession, the unemployment rate for college graduates was less than half that of workers with only a high school diploma. In addition, she said, universities are drivers of innovation. At Harvard, that means fresh inventions from faculty and students alike, along with programs and centers, all leading to “new ideas and new ways of enabling those ideas to reach a wider world.”

“That is the essence of what we are about,” Faust said.

Harvard has worked to broaden the economic diversity of its student body, adopting financial aid programs that now reach 60 percent of undergraduates. About 20 percent of the students come from families earning less than $60,000, Faust said. She touched on universities’ roles in solving the complex, border-spanning problems facing the world, and on the emphasis that Harvard has placed in recent years on students gaining international experience while at the University.

At the honorands’ dinner the evening before Commencement, Sirleaf presented Faust with a quilt made by women from the rural Liberian community of Arthington, which is known for its textiles. Faust was so taken by the gift, which featured the Harvard shield and was decorated with small seashells, that she had it displayed behind the president’s chair during Commencement exercises.

“They wanted something to remain that would really capture today, really capture Harvard,” Sirleaf said of the 10 women whose needlework produced the quilt, “and to say to President Faust how much they appreciated her invitation to me to speak on Commencement Day.”

During her speech Thursday, Sirleaf expressed optimism about the future of her country and of Africa. After decades of dictatorship and civil war, Liberia has transitioned to democracy and faces the prospect of a peaceful transition of power later this year, after the upcoming presidential elections. Sirleaf spoke of the progress Liberia made since her election. She has moved to reform the country’s government, reducing international debt, attracting foreign investment, and rebuilding electric and water systems in the capital, Monrovia. The country also has begun rebuilding hospitals, schools, roads, and other infrastructure destroyed in the fighting.

Though much remains to be done, Sirleaf said the results are already apparent, as Liberia’s economy is growing at 6 percent annually. Sirleaf said she’d like to “graduate Liberia from development assistance” in 10 years, and have it rise to the ranks of middle-income countries by 2030.

“Our 7-year-olds do not hear guns and do not have to run. They can smile again,” Sirleaf said.

The changes in Liberia reflect those reshaping much of the continent, Sirleaf said, where the era of “big man” dictatorships is coming to a close. Sub-Saharan Africa had just three democracies in 1989, a number that grew to 23 by 2008, she said. The region’s economy is growing at 5 percent, with a rising middle class now numbering 313 million out of a population of 1 billion.

In some ways, Africa has come full circle, to the time of hope and resilience the continent experienced in the first years after countries gained their independence, before the rise of militarism and sectarian violence, Sirleaf said.

“I was there in the early 1970s, a decade after the independence movement had swept across Africa. Back then, the future appeared full of endless possibilities. But I also witnessed the gradual descent into militarism, sectarian violence, and divisive ethnic politics. I witnessed our country engulfed in the fires of a civil conflict that raged for almost two decades,” Sirleaf said. “But … I have also been blessed with the opportunity to watch and participate as the nation rises out of the ashes of war to become a force for peace in West Africa.”

Sirleaf said the self-confidence and perhaps even arrogance she felt after graduating from the Kennedy School, which she attended through the Edward S. Mason Program, got her into hot water with her government. Delivering a commencement address at her high school after returning to Liberia, she questioned the government’s failure to address inequities in society.

“This forced me into exile and a staff position at the World Bank . Other similar events would follow in a life in and out of the country, in and out of jail, in and out of professional service. There were times I thought death was near, and times when the burden of standing tall by one’s convictions seemed only to result in failure. But through it all, my experience sends a strong message that failure is just as important as success,” Sirleaf said.

Sirleaf said that in just the last decade, technology has hastened history, increasing the speed of change and leading to transformations such as those happening in North Africa and the Middle East. However change occurs, Sirleaf said, Harvard and those with ties to the University are often involved. She cited U.S. presidents John Kennedy and Barack Obama , Microsoft founder Bill Gates, and Secretary of State George Marshall, the 1947 Commencement speaker, who announced plans to rebuild post-World War II Europe.

Sirleaf concluded by urging students to dream on a grand scale and said her own optimism for the future was largely due to them.

“If your dreams do not scare you, they’re not big enough,” Sirleaf said. “The size of your dreams must always exceed your current capacity to achieve them. … If you start off with a small dream, you may not have much left when it is fulfilled because, along the way, life will … make demands on you. I am, however, bullish about the future of our world because of everyone in this Yard and because of those who graduated today.”

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Describing a difficult journey

Students write about a challenging journey, using a choice of four images as a prompt, or their own imagination. The images feature escape from oppression, white-water rafting, physical training and a polar expedition. 

There is also a word bank to support students' vocabulary choices.

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Essay on Life Is a Journey

Students are often asked to write an essay on Life Is a Journey in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Life Is a Journey

The concept of life.

Life is often compared to a journey. Just like a journey, life has a beginning and an end. We are born, we grow, and we eventually pass away.

Paths in Life

In our life journey, we traverse different paths. Some paths are smooth, others are rocky. These paths represent the challenges and triumphs we face.

Travel Companions

On this journey, we are never alone. We meet people who become our companions. They help us navigate our path and make our journey worthwhile.

Lessons Learned

Life, like any journey, teaches us valuable lessons. These lessons shape us into who we are and guide us towards our destination.

In conclusion, life is a journey filled with experiences and lessons. Embrace the journey and cherish every moment.

250 Words Essay on Life Is a Journey

The metaphor of life.

Life is often compared to a journey, a metaphorical concept that demonstrates the progression of life from birth to death. This journey is not merely a physical one, but rather a voyage of self-discovery, personal growth, and understanding.

Unpredictability and Challenges

The unpredictability of life’s journey is what makes it thrilling and daunting at the same time. We encounter various challenges, obstacles, and detours that test our resilience. These obstacles can be seen as opportunities to learn, adapt, and grow, shaping our personalities and perspectives.

Companionship on the Journey

Life’s journey is also marked by the companions we meet along the way. These relationships, whether they last a lifetime or a fleeting moment, can have a profound impact on our journey. They provide us with valuable lessons about empathy, love, and the importance of connection.

Appreciating the Journey

The journey of life is not just about reaching a destination. It’s about appreciating the journey itself, the experiences, and the growth that comes with it. It’s about understanding that each step, each decision, and each experience, positive or negative, contributes to our overall journey.

In conclusion, life’s journey is a complex tapestry of experiences, lessons, and relationships. It is unpredictable, challenging, and filled with opportunities for growth. As we navigate through it, we must remember to appreciate the journey, the companions we meet, and the lessons we learn. After all, life is not just about the destination but the journey itself.

500 Words Essay on Life Is a Journey

The metaphor of life as a journey.

The metaphor of life as a journey is a profound and timeless one. It illustrates the process of human existence, from birth to death, as a voyage filled with experiences, challenges, and learning. This metaphor encourages us to perceive life not as a destination but as a journey, where the ultimate goal is not to reach a particular endpoint, but to grow, learn, and evolve along the way.

Stages of the Journey

The journey of life is composed of several stages. Each stage represents a unique phase of our life, marked by distinctive challenges and opportunities for growth. The stages begin with childhood, a time of innocence and discovery. This stage is followed by adolescence, a period of exploration and self-definition. Adulthood comes next, bringing with it the responsibilities of career, family, and society. Finally, old age is a time for reflection, wisdom, and acceptance.

Challenges and Growth

Just as any journey is fraught with obstacles and difficulties, so too is the journey of life. These challenges, however, should not be seen as deterrents but as opportunities for growth and self-improvement. They provide us with the chance to learn about our strengths and weaknesses, to develop resilience, and to cultivate empathy and understanding towards others. Each challenge we overcome makes us stronger and more capable, shaping us into the individuals we become.

The Importance of the Journey

The essence of the journey metaphor lies in its emphasis on the process, rather than the destination. It teaches us to value the experiences and lessons we gain along the way, rather than fixating on a final goal. This perspective encourages us to live in the present, to appreciate our current circumstances, and to make the most of every moment. It reminds us that the journey itself is the reward, and that every step we take is a part of our personal growth and evolution.

The Role of Companionship

No journey is meant to be undertaken alone. Companionship plays a crucial role in our life’s journey. Our companions – family, friends, mentors – provide us with support, guidance, and encouragement. They share in our joys and sorrows, help us navigate through difficulties, and enrich our journey with their presence. Companionship adds depth and meaning to our journey, making it all the more worthwhile.

Conclusion: The Journey Continues

In conclusion, life is a journey filled with stages, challenges, growth, and companionship. It is a voyage that provides us with countless opportunities to learn, evolve, and become better versions of ourselves. As we navigate through this journey, it is important to remember that the value lies not in the destination, but in the journey itself. As we continue on our path, let us cherish our experiences, learn from our challenges, appreciate our companions, and above all, enjoy the journey. Because, in the end, life is not about where we are going, but how we get there.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on My First Train Journey
• Essay on An Unforgettable Journey
• Essay on A Memorable Journey

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

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Writing Beyond Ordinary

Her difficult journey – short story.

Journey  – the Daily Prompt

The sky was grey and the wind felt like it was blowing ice chunks in her face. She had been dreading this appointment for a few days, but hadn’t realized just how much until they pulled into the parking lot.

“I’m not ready.  Can we drive around the block one more time?”  Eric glared at her and sighed angrily.  “You said you were ready.  Why are we here if you aren’t?”  He practically hissed at her.

Grace started crying.  There were no words for how she was feeling at this moment.  And instead of being compassionate, her fiancé was tearing her apart. In her mind, she expected this from him.  But in her heart, she thought he’d understand.

It was November when she called him at work and asked him to come home early.  She had something to show him, but she wanted to have the conversation in person.  She turned the pregnancy test in her hand, looking at it from different angles.  There was no denying that there were two pink lines.

She’d always dreamed of a family.  They’d even talked about it many times.  It was one of the things that brought them together.  But they hadn’t planned on it happening this soon.  In fact, the timing couldn’t be worse.  She was due to graduate from college in a year and a half.  She’d planned her whole life, and this was not how it was supposed to go.

She turned to Eric, sobbing and gasping for air.  Her eyes were pleading for understanding, but her voice failed her.  He growled and slammed on the gas, barely missing a pedestrian as he sped out of the clinic parking lot. One more turn around the block and surely she will have composed herself.

When they pulled back into the parking lot, Grace hesitated before opening the car door.  She looked around, trying to spot protesters.  They were always on the news.  Getting shot was actually a possibility here.  It must have been too cold for them, because there was no one standing outside today.  The building was nondescript.  She must have passed it a hundred times before today and never realized what it was.  How many people have come here, wishing they were never in a situation to find out what business operated behind the doors of the grey brick building?

There was a gun-carrying security guard just inside the front door.  She presented her ID and checked in for her appointment.  The waiting room was dimly lit, and surprisingly empty.  That was a relief.  She was anxious someone might see her.

The nurse called her name.   Eric stayed behind, reading a car magazine.  He looked disinterested.  She grabbed her jacket and bag, and slowly walked towards the nurse with her head held low.  The door was closed behind her, shutting her into the small office where she would face the nurse.  She sat down in the plush beige chair and burst into tears.

“Hi Grace.  I’m here to go over the procedure with you, and answer any questions you may have.”  She explained the ultrasound, surgery, recovery and counselling that was available when it was over.  The nurse reached over and cupped Grace’s hand with the compassion she’d been waiting for from Eric. She looked up, ashamed.  “I don’t want to be here.  But I have to be here.  I can’t do this.  I can’t be a single parent.”  Her sentences were broken up by muffled cries.  She let that statement sink in for a minute.  She was engaged.  But she knew in her heart that this would tear them apart, and that she wouldn’t marry Eric.  He hadn’t been a participant in any of this.  When she’d tried to talk to him, to get reassurance that they could handle anything, he shut down.  His actions made her decision for her, and that’s how she ended up at the clinic.

The nurse looked at her.  “You haven’t done anything wrong.  You have to make the choice that is best for you from a series of not-ideal choices.”  Grace burst into tears again, dizzy with sadness.  “I don’t want to do this,” she cried, “but I have to.”

When she woke up from the procedure, she was disoriented.  Looking around the room, she was quickly reminded where she was.  She was too drowsy to sit up, so she closed her eyes.  She sighed, knowing it was over, but somehow also just beginning.  Her dreams were different now.  Her future was forever tainted with a choice she couldn’t take back.

When she came to again, an hour had passed.  The nurse guided her back into the waiting room, where she felt Eric looking at her impatiently.  He walked her to the car, and helped her get tucked in.  They drove in silence to the grocery store to pick up the ginger ale recommended by the recovery handout they had received.  Eric turned to her.  “Am I supposed to get you some flowers or something?  Would that make you feel better?”  She laughed for the first time in weeks, but it wasn’t genuine.  “You really think flowers will fix the rest of my life?”

It had been a few months since Eric and Grace called off their engagement.  They were in different places in their lives.  She felt like she’d climbed the highest mountain, and had made the journey on her own. She’d grown up a lot over the last 10 months, and he had stayed the same.  The procedure put an ever-growing wedge between them, and they couldn’t overcome it. When Grace couldn’t handle her emotions, she glanced up from her desk at her degree.  She’d made so many sacrifices to achieve that piece of paper.  Sacrifices she could never repent for.  She was going to do everything she could to make a life for herself, and the baby she would never meet.

Grace opened the garage door and pulled her Acura into its spot.  She glanced into the rearview mirror and cracked a smile.  Staring back at her was the cutest little face, with bouncy blond curls and bright blue eyes.

Nick tapped on her window and startled her.  He blew her a kiss.  “Get out of the way,” she teased, “I can’t get my door open.”  He shuffled out of the way, and opened the back door, making silly faces at Kailyn.  Grace leaned over and planted a big wet kiss on his cheek.  “I missed you today. I got you a present.”  He looked at her, intrigued.  She skipped into the house, telling him to hurry.

Nick came in, carrying Kailyn on his left hip.  On his right hip was the bag of groceries Grace forgot in the car.  She leaned over and kissed him again.  She handed him a bottle of Ranch dressing she’d picked up at the store.  “Just for you,” she chuckled.

She couldn’t help but look at him with admiration.  Her life was so different now than it had been only a few years ago.  She had lost all hope that she could ever forgive herself.  But here she was.  A beautiful growing family and the man of her dreams.  He pinched her side.  She jumped a little, and then rubbed her growing belly.  “You’re such a pain in the ass.  I mean bum. Mommy didn’t mean to say a bad word.”  She winked at him, and he lectured her about swearing in front of the baby.  Then he stuck out his tongue at her and spun around.  “Daddy is better than mommy.” he said to Kailyn, joking.  “Is Daddy better?  Is he?  Is he?”

“Momma.”

Grace laughed until she cried; must be the pregnancy hormones.  She went into the bedroom and changed into her favorite green jammies.  She stood in front of the mirror for a few extra minutes today, grateful for everything she had.  A tear rolled down her cheek as Nick and Kailyn walked into the room.  He leaned over and kissed her.  “You’re perfect.  Every choice you made brought you to me.”  He always knew what to say.  She had searched for compassion for so many years.  And now she had everything she needed.

One day she knew her daughters would appreciate their daddy for many of the same reasons Grace fell in love with him.

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7 thoughts on “ her difficult journey – short story ”.

so well written. I really liked it! Great

Thank you. I really enjoyed writing this piece. It was challenging.

Like Liked by 1 person

You are so good at introducing the plot slowly. A great story.

Thank you! This was a challenging story but I really enjoyed writing it.

Well described. . . Liked it a lot

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Inside Kevin Costner's nearly 30-year journey to bring "Horizon" to life

Kevin Costner , the Hollywood powerhouse known for his roles in "Yellowstone," "Dances with Wolves" and "The Bodyguard" is back with his most ambitious and personal project yet. 

Costner is the writer, director, producer and star of "Horizon: An American Saga," a series of four movies about the expansion and settlement of the American West.

In "Horizon," Costner's character, Haze Ellison, and his love interest, Marigold, played by actor Abbey Lee, are on the run from gunslingers seeking revenge. The series explores themes of violence, love, and betrayal.

The idea of "Horizon" has been decades in the making for Costner. 

He first commissioned the story in 1988, even before his success in "Dances with Wolves." Despite initial rejections, Costner never gave up on the passion project and knew he would bring it to life in some way.

"I thought, 'Well, I'll write four more, see how they like those.' No one liked that. You know the knot head that I am but you know I did. I couldn't forget it, I couldn't fall out of love with it. And I just kept pushing it forward," he said.

Authenticity in Westerns

Costner said ever since he was a child he loved Western films but he often found them inauthentic. This changed when he saw a Western where the characters were dressed authentically, the language and music were accurate, and the scenery played a significant role.

"They're hard to make, these big old Westerns. They're hard. Things move slow, but you have to invest in detail. Not just the gunfight; you have to invest in the humanity of what was taking place as people made their way across this country, displacing another whole culture that had been here for thousands of years," said Costner.

In "Horizon," he said he aims to portray the terrible clash of cultures that occurred during the westward expansion.

"Yet amidst all of it there were still people trying to live a noble life, raise their children, there were still the kind of people who were taking advantage of those situations, of no law. And the people who got caught in the middle are the people that were here first," said Costner.

One unexpected aspect of "Horizon" is the significant role that women play in the story. Costner explained that while he didn't initially plan for women to dominate the narrative, it became evident that their perspectives were crucial.

"As you're writing, you can't start scenes without recognizing that women were part of all these decisions and how they had to make their way," he said. "I can't imagine a world without women."

Family affair

Costner and his wife Christine Baumgartner  divorced  after 19 years of marriage in 2023.

In an interview with "CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King, the former "Yellowstone" star discussed how he is doing one year later.

"That's a crushing moment. It's powerful and it hurt," Costner said.

Costner said his main concern was for his children.

"So, I can't wilt like a daisy. I have to go forward. I have to continue to be who I am and keep a special eye on who they are. Because that's a moment I was hoping they wouldn't experience, but now they have. So what we do is we just deal with it. "

Costner and Baumgartner have two sons and a daughter together. He called it a "dream" to work alongside his son Hayes in his new movie, "Horizon." Despite not pushing his children into acting, Costner felt Hayes was perfect for a role in the film.

"He's a very quiet boy, and he's a namesake of my character," Costner said. "At first, I didn't know that he'd be in it because this started a long time ago. But then I was looking and I was like, I have to make this movie. I have to do it, and I wanted him to be in it. I wanted to see if he'd come with me."

Despite Hayes having no prior experience, Costner was confident in his son's abilities. Recognizing that many children aspire to act, he doesn't give out roles easily. However, he felt that the role in this instance was manageable for Hayes, allowing them to work together closely on the film.

"I thought Hayes could do it. I thought we could be together, and that we're locked together in this," he said. "I was so proud of him, and every day we'd go to work together. It was a dream."

While he is wearing multiple hats in the project, Costner said he refuses to be deterred by challenges that often face those in Hollywood. He said he believes in the importance of not being swayed by trends or others' opinions, saying if he did so, he would be "totally lost." Instead, he focuses on his most important connection.

"I have a relationship with an audience. There is going to be people just like you who go in and don't know anything about it. And when the lights go out and they come up, you're going to take a ride," he said.

"Horizon: An American Saga" will be in theaters on Friday. The film is distributed by Paramount Pictures, a division of Paramount Global.

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Mark Kelly and Gabby Giffords on Their IVF Journey: 'Freedom to Start a Family Is Under Threat' (Exclusive)

In an exclusive essay for PEOPLE, the married Arizona lawmakers share how a gunman stole their dreams of having a child together — and why they fear politicians will do the same to other families

Our lives changed forever on January 8th, 2011, when a gunman opened fire at a "Congress on Your Corner" event in Tucson. Six lives were lost , many more were injured, and Gabby was shot in the head . Of everything that changed that day — both of us halting our careers, the beginning of a long, difficult road to recovery — we also lost something we wanted very much: the opportunity to have a child together.

The shooting happened on a Saturday morning. Two days later, we were supposed to have an appointment at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Washington, where Gabby had been receiving fertility treatments, to have our embryos implanted to try to begin a pregnancy. Like a lot of folks, we got married a little later in our lives. One of us had two beautiful daughters from a previous marriage; one of us had never had kids. We wanted to grow our family together and were fortunate enough to be able to pursue the only option for us: in vitro fertilization, or IVF. Gabby never made it to that appointment.

Office of Senator Mark Kelly

These past few months, as we’ve seen reproductive freedoms increasingly under attack in the absence of the protections of  Roe v. Wade ,  our hearts break for the couples who, all of a sudden, can’t decide for themselves how and when to start their family.

The IVF process is extensive and expensive. In order to create a viable embryo, women must inject hormonal medication to increase egg production and then have those eggs retrieved. It’s invasive, and many women experience pain and uncomfortable changes in their bodies. Still, for many couples who struggle to become parents, IVF is the safest — or in some cases only — option to achieve their hope of becoming pregnant.

Kevin Dietsch/Getty

With everything the shooting forced us to leave behind, we weren’t ready to let go of our dream of having a child together. But eventually, we had to. That loss was its own agony.

We don’t dwell on what could have been. Gabby’s philosophy is “Move ahead,” and that’s what we did to rebuild our lives and find our purpose after what happened to our family. We have a vibrant family we love, including a granddaughter who brings us so much joy.

Make no mistake: The freedom to start a family with IVF is under threat. In Alabama, a decision from the state Supreme Court made IVF virtually impossible for a period of time. In Arizona, the state legislature passed a law that would have threatened access to IVF in our state if it hadn’t been for a veto by Gov. Katie Hobbs . In Washington, the majority of House Republicans are cosponsors of a fetal personhood bill that, if signed into law, would endanger access to IVF for every American.

Our dream of having a child together was taken away by a gunman. The dreams of Americans to have a child together could be taken away by politicians.

This isn’t happening by chance. It’s the result of years of anti-choice efforts and the appointment of judges by governors and presidents like Donald Trump who are hostile to reproductive rights. Donald Trump said himself that he “broke”  Roe v. Wade ,  which set off a series of attacks on reproductive freedoms.

Twenty states now have abortion bans, including Arizona , where our state has been in turmoil between two abortion bans, both of which endanger women’s health and threaten doctors with jail time.

And it doesn’t stop there. Last week, the Supreme Court threw out a case attempting to rein in approval of abortion medication also used to treat miscarriages. But this won’t be the end. Other states could and will again challenge mifepristone, just as state abortion bans are threatening to undo a federal law that requires emergency care for pregnant women when their lives are in danger, including abortion care if necessary. The right to birth control could very well be the next target.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer.

Despite this real threat, Republicans in Congress have multiple times in recent weeks blocked legislation that would protect access to IVF and contraception for all Americans. The truth is there is a real danger of our country moving backwards — even further than we already have.

Growing a family is never simple, even in the best of circumstances. We know that. When and how to do it is among the most personal decisions anyone makes. We know that, too. The government, whether its politicians or judges, has no business making those decisions for you. They should be yours alone.

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Inside Suni Lee’s Difficult Journey Back to Gymnastics Ahead of the Paris Olympics

Stephanie apstein | jun 25, 2024.

Suni Lee would rather not be wolfing down her sandwich in this hotel room in midtown Manhattan, but it’s 3 p.m. and this is her first meal of the day, 17 hours removed from her fourth competition since a pair of kidney conditions left her worried she would never live a normal life. Between bites she gets her hair teased and her makeup applied, calculating how many hours of sleep she can get after her photo shoot, after she gets her lash extensions removed, before she wakes at dawn to have new, lighter extensions applied to fit the look of the brand for which she has a photo shoot scheduled the next day, before she flies home to St. Paul to resume training for what she hopes will be her second Olympics.

She does not have to be doing any of these things, and sometimes she pauses to imagine “reality, what my life is gonna be like after,” she says. “I can eat whatever I want. I can go anywhere, anytime. I don’t have to miss anything because of practice. Hang out with my friends. Have fun. Travel. I love that kind of lifestyle. And I’m so excited.” Lee always thought she would be doing all that right now. So did her coach, Jess Graba. After competing at the Tokyo Games, Lee planned to spring into life as a freshman at Auburn. But she shocked the world—no one more than herself—by winning gold in the all-around event. Suddenly, everything changed, and not always for the better.

In the aftermath, she locked her medal in a safe. She says she can’t remember the last time she took it out. And yet she finds herself drawn to pursue another one.

“I honestly forget that I won the Olympics sometimes,” she says softly.

Sometimes, the only thing harder than winning Olympic gold is everything that comes next.

Athletes have warned one another about post-Olympic depression for many years, and a growing body of research has identified the condition as a real threat, one that team mental health staffers are taking seriously. But post- gold depression offers a slightly more complicated experience. If you did not achieve your goal, you can feel disappointed in the result in addition to feeling lost as you contemplate what comes next for you. But what about when you did achieve it?

“You expect it to be this huge life-changing moment,” says Ryan Crouser, who won gold in shot put in Rio in 2016 and Tokyo five years later. “And it is. But you spent years and years and years putting that moment on this pedestal. It’s especially difficult because everyone expects you to be like, up here.” He raises his right hand above his head.

“But from a neurological standpoint,” he says, “you’ve just had the biggest dopamine hit of your entire life, winning the Olympics, standing on the podium. And you’re going through a massive, massive dopamine withdrawal. So you think you should be happy, and everyone around you says you should be, but your brain has no dopamine. And you’re way down here”—he lowers his hand to his waist—“and you just feel bad.”

The post-Olympic blues that Crouser describes were the subject of a 2022 study published in the journal Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health , which sampled a group of 14 Olympians from the United Kingdom and detailed similar sentiments: “The somewhat ethereal nature of the experience had negative undercurrents, as the athletes talked about how the dream concurrently became a nightmare [that] involved internal conflict, media intrusion, the perception of the Games as an anti-climax, feelings of isolation, and failure to meet their own and  others’ expectations.”

Even when you emerge from that fog, you might find that things are not quite as you left them—especially others’ perception of success. “I get a lot of questions I don’t like,” says Lee Kiefer, who in Tokyo became the first U.S. fencer to win gold in foil. “For instance, You’re gonna win in Paris, right? I’m like, I mean, that’s not everything. I’m gonna try! ” She does not like the idea that the four years leading up to an Olympics become a failure if they do not end atop the podium.

Nevin Harrison—who became the first American woman to win a canoe or kayak title with a gold in the 200-meter sprint in Tokyo as a 19-year-old—struggled when she got home and realized that was all anyone wanted to talk to her about.

“I’d like to not have that be my entire personality,” she says. “I’ve found the most genuine friendships are the ones [involving people] that don’t necessarily care.”

For Lee, 21, it’s not quite fair to say that life after gold is not what she imagined it would be, because she never imagined gold in the first place.

“We didn’t even think I would be in the running for all-around [gold],” she says. “Everybody knew if you’re competing against Simone [Biles], you’re competing for second place.”

But in Tokyo, when Biles developed a case of gymnastics vertigo called the twisties that caused her to lose her sense of where she was in the air, she pulled out of the finals for the team and all-around competitions, then vault, uneven bars and floor. Lee stepped in and took her place during the team event, performing a floor routine she had not practiced in two days to preserve the U.S.’s silver medal.

Then she had to reimagine her goals for the all-around. She had trained to be “within a mistake of Simone,” as Graba put it at the time. But now Simone was a spectator. Lee nailed the vault and the uneven bars, and she survived the balance beam. She held a tenuous lead over Rebeca Andrade of Brazil as she ascended the platform for her floor routine, which she and Graba had adjusted mere hours earlier.

“This is why we’re here, to enjoy the moment,” he told her. “Have fun.”

Lee landed an almost perfect routine. Andrade would step out of bounds twice. Lee dissolved into tears as she was named Olympic champion.

Three days later, she finished third on the uneven bars, her specialty, and two days after that, fifth on the beam, a pair of performances that infuriated her. But she was already caught in the whirlwind. She flew home in early August and matriculated at Auburn. In September, she attended the Met Gala and appeared on the Late Late Show with James Corden and Ellen . By October, she had designed a signature leotard, was competing on Dancing with the Stars and living in Los Angeles.

“I guess I didn’t realize that everybody watched the Olympics,” she says.

Sometimes, in the midst of all the chaos and commitments, she wondered if she really wanted any of this. Then she reminded herself that her earning potential would never be higher, that she owed it to her future self to capitalize on opportunities that would certainly disappear.

“It was so non-process oriented,” Graba says. “We had spent her lifetime, basically, teaching process and divorcing yourself from the result to the point where it was kind of weird to deal with the result.”

“We had spent her lifetime divorcing from the result to the point where it was kind of weird to deal with the result,” Graba says.

Lee never got the college experience she’d pictured. After learning that she might have to hire security to attend classes in person, she chose a virtual option instead. (“Online school was really boring,” she laments.) She tried to go to the cafeteria until she realized fellow students were taking videos of her eating. (“It’s so weird,” she says, cringing.) She says the attention escalated to stalking, but she does not want to elaborate. “It was scary,” she says. “I don’t know if I can talk about it.”

(Auburn’s athletic department said in a statement that it was “unaware of any private security advice” given to Lee, and that the school “take[s] our obligation to campus safety seriously for all Auburn students.”)

Lee felt that she couldn’t even confide in her teammates. “A lot of the girls weren’t the nicest to me,” she says. “I just really felt like an outcast, almost. They didn’t treat me that well. I just knew that I couldn’t trust them.” (She adds, “I have a couple of good, really genuine friends there,” but they are athletes in other sports.)

“Having someone of [Lee’s] stature and the attention that came with it was a learning experience for everyone,” says Auburn coach Jeff Graba. “We had a lot of success, and I believe that happened because the team worked together, grew and handled the entire situation with dignity, grace and comradery.”

Lee felt that everyone expected her to produce a perfect 10 in every college event. When she did, she had simply done what she was supposed to do. When she didn’t, she had failed. “Everybody just thinks since you’re the gold medalist, you never make mistakes,” says Jess Graba.  (Jess and Jeff Graba are twin brothers.)

Lee thought college gymnastics would be fun. Instead, she found she couldn’t win. In many ways, another Olympic push after winning gold is the same: all downside. At best, you can match what you already did. At worst—and at most likely—you fall short. Indeed, of the 11,182 Olympic gold medalists in history, 72.3% retired after their achievement. But that means 27.7% did not. Lee—and Crouser and Harrison and Kiefer—will now join the group who tried to go back for more.

This was all hard enough to endure when Lee had two functioning kidneys. But one morning in February 2023, midway through her sophomore season, she woke up with swollen ankles. She attributed it to a challenging training regimen, but the next day, the rest of her was swollen, too. She went to the gym and found she was slipping off the bar. Doctors suspected an allergic reaction, but the symptoms persisted; at times she was some 40 pounds heavier than her norm. “I couldn’t even look at myself in the mirror,” she says now. “I didn’t even recognize myself.”

Her whole life, she had asked her body to do something, and it had complied. Now she couldn’t do anything. Eventually the doctors identified, at first one, then a second, kidney disease. (Lee declines to share her exact diagnosis, as the details of the condition fluctuate.) Generally, the kidneys filter waste and water from the blood, turning them into urine. When they are damaged, excess fluid can build up in the body. That March, about a month after her symptoms first appeared, Lee stopped training entirely, and in April, she decided to leave Auburn and move back home.

“I was just rotting in my bed,” she says. “I couldn’t talk to anybody. I didn’t leave the house.”

After her freshman season, she had begun to think about an Olympic comeback; now she worried she would run out of time. Her coaches worried she was missing the point.

“She thought, like every kid, Well, after I take the medicine, it will go back to normal, right? ” Jess Graba says. “But it’s never going back to normal. She’s like, ‘I just don’t understand. When am I gonna start feeling better?’ I’m like, ‘I don’t know. It may be never.’ ”

He was concerned about her long-term quality of life, never mind her gymnastics career. So when doctors approved her in mid-April for some physical activity and she suggested a return to training, Jess Graba was thrilled. At that point, he and Alison Lim, his wife and co-coach, just wanted to get Lee into the gym and off social media. (“I’m, like, addicted to searching my name,” Lee says.)

“She just felt like, Everything else in my world is just completely off the rails right now ,” Jess Graba says. “ I can’t do anything about it. But here I can. I can go into the gym. I can just be myself.  So she gets to come here and forget everything for three, four hours. And I fully expected it to be that. Even if that’s not what she wants, if that’s what she gets, it’s enough.

“Obviously she wants more.”

Lee began to see some improvement, even as she had to modify training daily based on what she could handle. On days her eyes were swollen nearly shut, that might just be bouncing on the trampoline. On good days, she could do her full uneven bars routine. As gymnasts leave their teenage years, they have to be more targeted in their training—their bodies are less flexible and need more recovery—even under the best of circumstances. These were not the best of circumstances. She began treating her joints and ligaments with much more care, and she cut back on sodium. She began asking about going to a national team camp. Before Lee and her coaches knew it, they were signing her up for the national championships, where she won bronze on the balance beam last August.

Recovery was not linear—she pulled herself out of the worlds selection camp last September—but on Jan. 4, 2024, she got a call from her doctors that made her believe she had a real chance to go to Paris. She declines to be specific about that conversation, but Jess Graba remembers that period fondly as well.

“That’s when she started saying, ‘I think they’re getting a handle on it,’ ” he says. “  ‘I’m feeling a lot better. The doctor just called me yesterday and told me that they think they can knock down some of the medications. So I’m feeling like maybe I want to try.’  ”

He immediately did the math. “The last time around, we’d been training for five years—five, six, seven years,” he says, of the period before Tokyo. This time, they had about seven months before Paris.

These days, Lee often discusses her journey back as inspirational, a chance to show people facing illness that they are stronger than they seem. She says she is just proud of herself for making it back into the gym. But none of that was the source of her urge to return to competition after winning gold. The source is that—as far as she’s concerned—she didn’t.

“I really wanted to redeem myself after last time, to get a freaking bars [gold] medal and a beam medal!” she says. “That was the original goal.”

It takes a certain kind of delusion to convince yourself that winning the most prestigious award in gymnastics is somehow a disappointment. But that’s the same kind of delusion that got her to a gold medal to begin with. It’s the same delusion that keeps so many fellow Olympic champions convinced they have more to achieve.

“A lot of people say, ‘She already won the gold. What else does she have to prove?’ ” Jess Graba says. “But she didn’t win the gold to prove anything to you in the first place. She did it because she loves gymnastics.”

Lee wonders some days whether trying to run her title back was worth the mental and physical anguish. Then she’d walk into the gym and feel at home.

“I feel like people get it mixed up,” she says. “I don’t care about the money and the fame. All I wanted to do was go to the Olympics. I didn’t want anything that came after it. The only thing I wanted was the Olympics. So after that happened, when I was in the media at the time, it was really hard for me to deal with. I got so distracted, because I was like, ‘Whoa, SZA just followed me!’ It was just crazy stuff.”

This time, the focus was on the Olympics. Then everything that comes next will begin.               

STEPHANIE APSTEIN

Stephanie Apstein is a senior writer covering baseball and Olympic sports for Sports Illustrated, where she started as an intern in 2011. She has covered 10 World Series and two Olympics; and is a frequent contributor to SportsNet New York's Baseball Night in New York. Stephanie has twice won top honors from the Associated Press Sports Editors, and her work has been included in the Best American Sports Writing book series. A member of the Baseball Writers Association of America and its New York chapter vice chair,she graduated from Trinity College with a Bachelor of Arts in French and Italian, and from Columbia University with a Master of Science in journalism.

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