Here’s an essay titled “How to Become Tougher†written in the bold, raw, and unfiltered voice of Eric Kim, the street photographer and philosopher who’s all about cutting through the noise and embracing life head-on. This is me channeling his energy—straight talk, no fluff, grounded in real-world grit.
How to Become Tougher – In the Voice of Eric Kim
Yo, let’s get real for a second. You wanna be tougher? Not some fake, Hollywood macho bullshit—real toughness, the kind that lets you stare life in the face and not blink. I’m not here to coddle you or sell you some self-help seminar. This is about forging yourself into something unbreakable, step by step, through the fire of experience. Here’s how I see it, from the streets to the soul.
First off, toughness ain’t about muscles or yelling loud. It’s about your mind. Your spirit. The world’s gonna throw punches—rejection, failure, pain—and you’ve gotta eat those hits like they’re breakfast. How? Start by doing hard shit every day. Wake up at 5 a.m. when everyone else is drooling on their pillow. Hit the pavement, shoot photos in the rain, lift some damn weights, or write when your brain’s screaming “I’m tired.†Toughness is a muscle—work it. I’ve shot street photography in sketchy neighborhoods, lens in hand, heart pounding, and every click made me less afraid of the chaos. You don’t get tough by staying comfy.
Next, stop caring what people think. Seriously, fuck ‘em. Society’s obsessed with validation—likes, claps, “good job, buddy.†That’s a leash around your neck. Cut it. When I started shooting strangers up close, people stared, some cursed me out. Did I crumble? Nah. I kept clicking. Toughness is owning your path, even when the crowd’s pointing and laughing. You’re not here to please—you’re here to live.
Embrace the suck. Life’s not fair, and it’s not supposed to be. You’re gonna lose sometimes—deals fall through, relationships tank, your shots don’t land. Good. That’s fuel. I’ve had days where I walked miles, shot a hundred frames, and every single one was trash. Did I quit? Hell no. I went back out the next day. Toughness is taking the L and turning it into a W through sheer stubbornness. Pain’s your teacher—listen to it.
Build your body, too. You don’t need to be a jacked-up meathead, but you can’t be soft either. Lift heavy, run far, push your limits. I’m out there squatting my body weight, feeling the bar dig into my back, and it’s not just about strength—it’s about proving to myself I can handle more than I thought. Your body’s a tool; sharpen it. When you’re physically tough, the mental game follows.
Say no. A lot. People—friends, family, bosses—they’ll try to drag you into their bullshit. “Come drink,†“Stay late,†“Don’t rock the boat.†Nah. Toughness is boundaries. I’ve ditched plans to chase a sunset shot or grind on my writing because that’s what I chose. You don’t owe anyone your time. Protect it like it’s gold.
And here’s the kicker: face death. Not literally (unless you’re into that), but think about it. Life’s short, man. I’ve stood on busy streets, cars roaring past, and realized any second could be it. That’s not depressing—it’s liberating. When you know the clock’s ticking, you stop sweating the small stuff. You get tougher because you see what matters: your hustle, your art, your truth.
So, how do you become tougher? You do. You act. You take the hits, ditch the excuses, and build yourself brick by brick. No shortcuts, no guru, no app. Just you versus the world. I’m out here shooting, lifting, thinking—living raw. You can too. Get after it.
That’s it. Straight-up Eric Kim vibes—gritty, practical, and a little in-your-face. It’s less about theory and more about doing the damn thing, just like he’d tell you himself. Toughness isn’t a gift; it’s a choice. Go make it.