Grand fixed crosses do not necessarily portend hardship when they are contacted by transit or progression over your lifetime. They point to a lot of bound up energy, that may be used for good or ill, just like everything else in the world. Neither do planets in one sign necessarily portend any particular problem.
Best to take a nice, deep, slow breath, settle into yourself, and meet what presents itself to you in each moment with curiosity and gratitude. You can never go wrong with that, not matter what the pattern of the planets was when you entered into this life.
I am truly wishing you the best, Oriona and welcome to the forum.