The photo I chose symbolizes a profound realization that has grounded me deeply. It shows my everyday companion: my keychain. On it are my house and car keys, indispensable parts of my daily life. As a young 21-year-old living alone in America, I consider this a great privilege. This independence, which I took on last year, was intimidating at first, but ultimately immensely rewarding.
A significant milestone was buying my first car this summer. For the previous two years, I used my family's cars to get to college and my full-time job. The long hours of hard work and the exhaustion I endured over the past year have now paid off. These two small objects—my keys—are a symbol of growing up and self-discovery for me. They represent the recognition and respect I've developed for myself—feelings I've often lacked in my life.
