Fujino is a young student who draws for her school's weekly newspaper. Just like her, I started drawing for my schoolpaper when I was in 4th grade, I remembered my classmates praising me and I always thought it was just a minimal job that I did for fun.

Sure, it gave me the confidence boost I needed to keep on drawing. I remember how much my parents, teachers, classmates, and the people around me highly praised me for drawing. I felt so good about myself, I won't even deny it gave me some sort of superiority just like Fujino.

But, as I grow up, I realized how mediocre I was compared to other artists. Don't get me wrong, comparing yourself to others is NEVER OKAY, but it's also an inevitable feeling and a constant struggle especially when all your life you've always have this thought that you are good.

This makes me realize how other people's words, especially adults could have so much impact and influence on a child. Receiving so much praises back then gave me this superior feeling about myself it makes me think that when someone is better than me, I'm automatically a failure.

It drills you into thinking that to be praised means you have to be if not better, the best. Being competitive is good, it helps you improve and grow. But sometimes, it contributes to the toxic mentality that you have to constantly prove yourself to others to validate yourself.