What Are You Most Proud of Accomplishing?

Wrote this answer to the question above for a fellowship application, and wanted to share the answer here.

When most people meet me, their assumption is that my answer would be an external accomplishment. But the truth is, the thing I’m most proud of doing is that I chose to see a therapist in the Fall of 2021.

I had a lot of mental issues from events that occurred in the past. I used to talk about it with my friends all the time, specifically my childhood best friend. One day, my best friend just asked me “Ethan if this bothers you so much why don’t you go see a professional”.

I always believed that I wasn’t broken enough to go get help or that I could bear through it on my own. But the truth was that I couldn’t.

I started seeing a therapist about my experiences and I broke them all down. It was challenging, difficult, and uncomfortable to face the root of every mental issue. Eventually, after lots of effort and stress, I realized how much lighter I felt. I felt free. I felt optimism about myself and saw the world in a more positive light.

My most proud accomplishment is that I finally had the strength to ask for help with my mental struggles. That decision to see a therapist in the fall of 2021 is what made 2022 so special. I was living my life without the burdens of the past, and I was able to truly cherish every moment of it.