It is an absolutely wonderful thing to find your niche, to feel like you belong.
The only thing I want to add is that being told or taught to be different is very much a global north thing. In Asia, in countries like South Korea, kids are told the opposite, you have to have the same haircut and style, there are very exact instructions as to how one should fit and look, there's no room for interpretation. When they graduate from university a very common gift is plastic surgery, the beauty standards are set for them before they're old enough to walk.
Wow, thank you for your perspective on this, Bianca. It's such an interesting example of how any perspective, cultural or personal, can be taken to negative extremes. I've always admired, or at least been fascinated by, the cultural emphasis on the community in many Asian countries relative to the Western emphasis on the individual. But this shows that this also has its potential issues.
"What makes you special isn’t the thing that makes you different from the rest of the world."
"It’s the thing that makes you different from the people most like you. "
What an INCREDIBLE way to put it. I found your Substack thanks to Anne Kadet's recommendation. I'm so glad I read your post because it happened when I needed it the most. Answers do come when you ask the right questions at the right time. Thanks for sharing Taylor.
P.s: I would've loved having a teacher as passionate for what he does as you.
“Then, of course, I discovered my own version of speaking to snakes.” Yes!
I also loved the James Clear quote. At some point last year I realized that my notion that I was the only person who could do the sort of writing andreporting I do for my newsletter wasnt quite right. It was more accurate to say that I was the only person who WANTED to do this sort of writing and reporting. And that’s when I knew I was truly safe and things were totally going to be ok.
I never felt that I “fitted in” anywhere in my life. You hit that high school experience right on the nose for me! I’m strange around strangers.
"Strange around strangers" is such a great turn of phrase. Glad you enjoyed the essay!
I found this article really insightful and inspiring. Than you.
Glad to hear it, Carolyn! Thank you!
It is an absolutely wonderful thing to find your niche, to feel like you belong.
The only thing I want to add is that being told or taught to be different is very much a global north thing. In Asia, in countries like South Korea, kids are told the opposite, you have to have the same haircut and style, there are very exact instructions as to how one should fit and look, there's no room for interpretation. When they graduate from university a very common gift is plastic surgery, the beauty standards are set for them before they're old enough to walk.
For context, I live in Vietnam.
Wow, thank you for your perspective on this, Bianca. It's such an interesting example of how any perspective, cultural or personal, can be taken to negative extremes. I've always admired, or at least been fascinated by, the cultural emphasis on the community in many Asian countries relative to the Western emphasis on the individual. But this shows that this also has its potential issues.
"What makes you special isn’t the thing that makes you different from the rest of the world."
"It’s the thing that makes you different from the people most like you. "
What an INCREDIBLE way to put it. I found your Substack thanks to Anne Kadet's recommendation. I'm so glad I read your post because it happened when I needed it the most. Answers do come when you ask the right questions at the right time. Thanks for sharing Taylor.
P.s: I would've loved having a teacher as passionate for what he does as you.
Appreciate you, Terra! I would have loved having a student as positive and inspiring as YOU!
I loved this essay Taylor!
“Then, of course, I discovered my own version of speaking to snakes.” Yes!
I also loved the James Clear quote. At some point last year I realized that my notion that I was the only person who could do the sort of writing andreporting I do for my newsletter wasnt quite right. It was more accurate to say that I was the only person who WANTED to do this sort of writing and reporting. And that’s when I knew I was truly safe and things were totally going to be ok.
Yes! Maybe it's an American thing but we focus so much of our "purpose" around our competencies — when really it's our passions.