Relationships have been one of the most rewarding and challenging parts of my life. Over the years, I have learned that no two relationships are the same, and each one has shaped me in different ways.
My relationship with each of my parents has always been different. My father and I have generally gotten along with ease, while my relationship with my mother has been much more complex. We often argue, whether over something small in the present or something that happened years ago. Although those disagreements can be frustrating, they have taught me that family relationships are rarely perfect. They require patience, communication, and a willingness to understand perspectives that differ from your own.
I would say being bullied has changed the way I view humanity at times and it used to make me feel like I didn’t have a purpose but I think as I did more reflecting why I am the way I am. I started going to therapy more and started diving into my past as hard and hurtful. The truth was I had to face it as a man and feel all my emotions instead of pretending my life was sunshine, rainbows, sunny and joy. My trauma and battle started when I was at the end of 4th grade when I found out I was going to be held back due to reading scores and was mislead and lied to and said I was in a transitional phase instead of telling me the truth by my old principal it isn’t something I talk about with people due to fear of being portrayed as dramatic or some sort of victimhood. At 10-11 years old I didn’t have a voice to stand up for myself and felt like I was silenced. This was something I didn’t think about for years but that is when my real battle with depression, anxiety and suicide ideation began in my early teens as young as 12 but after an attempt at 17 I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety through a diagnostic exam July 2022 and showed signs of severe trauma and PTSD. I can say I’m healthy, alive and no longer having those thoughts as of 4 years later post that traumatic event. Because of this I started a page called WrittenHopeHQ which is something I created to help teens and adults with suicide ideation, depression and anxiety so no one should feel alone like I did. I also created the infographic logo and symbol to represent something symbolic and healing. I would like to be more consistent with this page even though I started it a year ago and I would develop a concept to get people on board maybe do events where we talk about our feelings and overshare in a safe space so people don’t contain their thoughts alone or vent to ai tools like I have done so many times I’ve lost count. This restores wounds in the world and humanity to repair and heal. In Judaism this concept is Tikkun Olam which is by far my favorite one in Judaism, something I practice everyday. Tikkun Olam helps me restore my lenses of how I see humanity and how I can do my best to be kind and empathetic to people.
WrittenHopeHQ Symbol
Growing up in a family with Holocaust survivors in my ancestry also influenced the way I think about empathy. As the great-grandson of Holocaust survivors, I have always believed that the phrase “Never Again” should apply to everyone not only Jewish people, but any group facing persecution, mass violence, or genocide. To me, those words represent a universal commitment to protecting human dignity, regardless of a person’s nationality, ethnicity, or religion. That belief has become an important part of how I understand justice and compassion.
Friendships have also taught me important lessons. I have never been someone with a large circle of friends. Instead, I have valued a smaller number of meaningful relationships. My longest friendship has lasted six years with my friend Elizabeth. Although we are not as close as we once were, I am grateful that we still stay in touch despite having different political views. That friendship has shown me that disagreement does not always have to end a relationship if there is mutual respect.
6 Year Friendship With Elizabeth
Other friendships have been more uncertain. Sometimes I have questioned where I stand with people. Some friendships naturally became stronger through mutual effort, while others slowly faded over time. At first, I struggled with that reality, but I have come to understand that not every friendship is meant to last forever. People grow, priorities change, and sometimes life simply takes people in different directions.
Like many people my age, I have also found myself comparing my life to what I see on social media. There are moments when I mourn opportunities I feel I may have missed or compare my relationships to those of others. Over time, I have realized that social media often shows only the highlights of people’s lives rather than the full picture. Learning to appreciate my own journey instead of measuring it against someone else’s continues to be an important lesson.
One of the most difficult lessons I have learned involves forgiveness. I believe forgiveness has an important place in situations involving misunderstandings, honest mistakes, or poor communication. At the same time, I also believe that there are experiences that fundamentally change a relationship. Serious betrayals or violations of trust can leave lasting wounds such as emotional abuse, sexual harassment isn’t forgivable or something I tolerate which are things I unfortunately experienced but it has made me stronger. For me, learning empathy has also meant recognizing that people heal in different ways and that protecting one’s own well-being through healthy boundaries is sometimes necessary.
Moving from Florida to New York introduced me to people with a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. As I continued questioning many of my own political beliefs, I found communities where I felt understood. Finding other Jewish people with similar perspectives made me feel less isolated during a period of significant personal reflection. Even today, I sometimes struggle with loneliness, but knowing those communities exist has reminded me that I am not alone.
One experience that had a lasting impact on me was meeting a Palestinian American and his Egyptian American wife while I was questioning Zionism. We spoke openly about history and our different backgrounds. During that conversation, he shared that he had lost many members of his family during the ongoing war in Gaza. Listening to his personal story reinforced for me the importance of empathy, not simply understanding ideas, but listening to the lived experiences of others, even when those experiences are painful. These conversations sparked a motivation for myself to be apart of peace groups with Israelis and Palestinians with confronting
As I have grown older, I have realized that the relationships I value most are built on honesty, reciprocity, and meaningful conversation. I enjoy discussing ideas, learning from different perspectives, and forming connections that go beyond small talk. While not every relationship lasts forever, every relationship has taught me something about empathy, communication, and the kind of person I hope to become.
Need a late night snack check out Mulberry Market for 10% off!
By Aaron Newman
Aaron Newman is an Education Studies major minoring in Digital Studies. Originally from Fort Lauderdale, he writes about relationships, entertainment and fashion. He also writes about the hardship and being optimistic about his struggles and looking forward to the present and future.
For over 25 years, the Campus Clipper has helped college students in New York City—and later in Boston and Philadelphia—save money and succeed in city life. We offer a digital coupon booklet with discounts on food, clothing, and services, plus an Official Student Guidebook with real advice on how to navigate college life in a big city. Our internship program lets students build skills, earn money, and publish their own e-books. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @CampusClipper, and sign up for our newsletter to get deals straight to your inbox. To access the digital coupons, scan the QR code on our printed card—available in dorms, student centers, and around campus.
