Have you ever wondered what truly sets you apart from the crowd, and if so, what is it that makes you uniquely you?
As humans, we keep questioning different aspects of our lives until we die; there’s no end to it. The answers to some questions are simple and easy to find, while others are like clingy pets, following us wherever we go. These kinds of questions accompany us when we sit alone to reflect on our lives. At some point, we all question our individuality.
When I entered my teenage years, like anyone else, hundreds of questions about life and the people around me began to sprout in my mind. As I navigated the typical teenage struggles, more questions kept arising. Some were answered, some faded away from lack of attention, and others grew into full trees with strong roots, spreading to every corner of my mind.
One such question occupying my thoughts for the longest time was ‘Who am I among the many?’. I always used to wonder while looking at the crowd of people around me
‘what makes me different from them?’
‘what is there in me that distinguishes me from all?’
‘what makes me an individual apart from the crowd?’
Walking back home from school at a slow pace, observing others moving along the street—each person hurrying to reach somewhere—I used to think that everything about me, the good and the bad, the joys and struggles, the laughter and tears, was shared by everyone around me. The emotions I felt were felt by countless others. Everything I saw in the world, every thought and emotion, seemed like a reflection of others' experiences across the globe. Life felt like the script of a play I shared with many others—a cycle of dreams, emotions, and challenges we all experienced. I began to doubt if there was anything unique about me, my experience, or my life that could be mine alone.
I would look at every classmate and think, ‘I am just another face in this class, an average student, walking side by side with them.’ I used to observe my friends and think, ‘Do I stand out in any way? Am I just like a shadow, something nobody notices?’
As I entered emerging adulthood—a phase that often challenges us with difficult situations—I somehow stumbled upon the answer to this important question. The thing that makes me different, that sets me apart as an individual, is me, myself.
I realized that I am the answer to those questions. I realized that individuality is not about possessing a unique talent found nowhere else on this earth, nor is it about being the most beautiful, wealthy, intelligent, lucky, or extraordinarily smart. Instead, it is about how I perceive my own life. The way I feel—every emotion, its intensity—is mine alone. The way I dream and work toward making those dreams a reality is something no one else can replicate. My experiences are unique, seen through a lens that only I possess, and will never be exactly the same for anyone else. I may not be the best at the things I do, but everything I do carries a personal touch—a piece of myself that sets it apart from anyone else’s.
This realization brought a shift in how I viewed my own life. My life is a unique, colorful painting in progress that only I can create. This script is mine; even if I share the stage with others, I still have a special place here. Every challenge, every triumph, and even every misstep is a part of me—something that makes me, me.
Dear readers, if you ever find yourself asking these same questions, remember—the answer lies within you. No one else is exactly like you. Only you have the power to make yourself stand out in the crowd.
