My TEDx Talk Crossed 40,000 Views!

This is exciting - my TEDx talk crossed 40,000 views! 🥹🎉

Recently, this YouTube comment stuck out:

"I feel like so many people have those feelings about not fitting in and the thing they think makes them different is like...nothing? Especially not compared to having an actual disease that makes you literally, physically, different."

Maybe they didn't mean it this way, but it came across a bit invalidating - to my experience, and to the "so many people."

For my experience, it's fine. I have no doubt having an "actual disease" where you're "literally, physically, different" is its own journey in feeling isolated, judged, not understood etc.

I've related to lots of people who look different, and heard from a lot who relate to me, because the underlying journey can be similar, even if the experience isn't.

But I do care about the "so many people" she compared to.

Because feeling different or isolated for an experience you can't control isn't a competition.

And thinking of it that way stops people from sharing and finding people who understand them.

Someone will always "have it worse" than you. But someone having it worse doesn't mean you don't have it hard.

Someone having it worse doesn't mean you should keep your struggle to yourself because "it's not that bad, I should push through."

Someone having it worse doesn't mean there aren't people who relate to YOUR struggle.

Nobody owns the claim on feeling different or not fitting in. It's a human experience that touches so many.

Everyone has a struggle in their lives they can't control. Comparing it to other people doesn't help us, but sharing it to find those who understand us does.

And every time someone steps up and says who they are, the world becomes a better, more interesting place. ✨

I'm so thankful my message is spreading, and hoping it keeps reaching those who need to hear it:

• Those living with an invisible struggle outside of their control
• Those with something about themselves or their lives they're hesitant to share with others
• Those hiding or masking to fit in, wondering where to go from here

If you haven't seen my TEDx yet, you can watch it at the YouTube link here 🫶🏽✨