We asked folks a question that led to many surprising answers – some sad, some thought-provoking and some funny. We’ve highlighted a cross section of those responses below.
Guilherme Possobon
As a child growing up in a working-class family in a developing country, you’re taught to believe many things that aren’t necessarily true. One of the strongest is that the world is not meant for you. What you see on TV feels distant and unreachable. Read more>>
Elisia Menjivar
As a child, I believed I wasn’t enough. As I grew a little older i used to believe I had to shrink myself or be who others expected me to be. Now I embrace who I truly am, and I stand confidently in the woman I’ve grown into. I know my voice, my story, and my purpose matter. Read more>>
Valentine J. Brkich
As a kid, I was 100% sure that one day I would be a world-famous author. There was no doubt in my mind. Now, as a 50-year-old man, I no longer believe this will happen. And that’s OK. I’ve written a dozen books and hundreds of magazine articles and essays. I can say with confidence that I am a published author. Read more>>
Koffi Tha Guru
I thought I was going to be the greatest pharmacist in the world. Create the most potent drug that will cure all ailments. Now I know better. Lol Read more>>
Laura Girone
As a child, I believed in many things, like we all have an inner fire, something to give and share with the world. Unfortunately, I also believed that if you weren’t born with talent, you didn’t have the same chances as other people. Read more>>
Lena Kunz
As a child I always struggled to keep up with my age group, social skill/ learning. I had to ‘catch up’ a lot with my age group. Due to being adopted from another country, Russia, and not knowing how to speak at all, I had a hard time communicating. Along with understanding what was going on. Read more>>
Araceli Soriano
As a child, I didn’t believe in myself. I was a follower through the parenting style that I had at home that prohibited me from becoming somebody just because I was a girl. Read more>>
Avaryana Rose
I used to be extremely introverted and meek as a child, and I listened to the destructive voices around me telling me I was the ‘weakest link’. As I got older that belief solidified in me, and as I navigated middle school life, I began getting bullied. Through that time it broke me down; and I hit a rock bottom. Read more>>
Lua de Morais
As mentioned before, having been born and raised in a cult (“The Children of God”), most of the things I was taught and firmly believed in as a child, I don’t believe in anymore. For example that “we” were the “chosen” ones, and had the mission to “save” the world, etc. Read more>>
Jonae Bond
Growing up in a Caribbean household, I was taught that success looked like pursuing a traditional career path, becoming a lawyer, an engineer, or going into corporate. That belief was ingrained in me from a young age, and for a long time, I thought that was the only way to build stability and be respected. Read more>>
Rikki Brockett
When I was younger, I often felt like I had to stay quiet and color inside the lines that were placed in front of me. Over time, I’ve come to see that those lines were never permanent—they were only limits I accepted. Read more>>
Kristen Evans
Another deep question. Growing up, I didn’t believe I was worthy of a healthy love. My relationship with my father was toxic, and it shaped the way I viewed love, I thought chaos and pain were normal. That belief led me from one toxic partner to the next, chasing something that wasn’t really love at all. Read more>>
Jennifer Schiano
As a child, I didn’t believe my voice had any power or a place to be fully expressed. Undiagnosed health challenges, social anxiety, and ADHD kept me trapped in an internal prison of self-doubt and low self-worth. Exploring my voice through art and photography became the key to unlocking these invisible chains. Read more>>
