It's commonly said that people who've been ill in childhood and who've had an upset education never really regret that they do. It means that you don't look at the world in the way that other people do, and if you were inclined to be a writer, that's a help.
“Dams have harmed our wildlife and made rivers less useful for recreation.”
“Unless you go out and say what you stand for, other people will do it for you.”