I was afraid to take up space
Then I realized why I had to
I grew up thinking that everyone thought the same way that I did, and they just didn’t say the answer when the teacher asked. I was timid, and I didn’t want to put my hand up in class. It took a while for me to realize that they just didn’t know the answer, and I shouldn’t be scared to share my point of view on the question.
At motivational talks, you hear things like, “Don’t be afraid to take up space.”
Everyone there became energized to implement this mantra.
Listening to this talk as an introverted person, the concept scared me because that will mean I have to draw attention to myself.
I grew up in a country where I was a majority, and I could walk through a crowd, and no one would know who I was. I wasn’t noticeable all the time, and I could choose to be no one and anyone at my discretion.
I left my country, and suddenly it was apparent when I was present, especially as I was the only person who looked like me in my class. I was the only person who looked like me in many spaces, which was hard because I had never experienced that before.
It was a new kind of feeling.
I was so visible that my one wish was to disappear into a crowd and just be one of the people moving about.
I’ve never really enjoyed standing out or being different, but that’s what I’ve been all my life. I didn’t have the body type that fit the beauty standard as a child, and then my body type became the beauty standard as an adult. I was taller than everyone in middle school and the curviest throughout high school. All these had their set of challenges but what they had in common was that they made me stand out or drew attention to me, which I never liked.
When I was younger, I wanted to wear baggy clothes to cover myself. It was just my way of trying to hide, and in the past years, I have learned that no one thinks like me, and I will not hide anymore.
I later realized that my perspective mattered and generated a richer conversation as no one has similar experiences around me.
I started voicing my opinion in relationships when I was uncomfortable with the situation or didn’t like something, which usually resolved the problem faster.
I learned to stand on my own, be more confident, and grow as a person.
One of the best things happened when I realized that I would take up space since I couldn’t blend in anyway.
I have decided to take up space. I will maximize this opportunity to ensure that I share my perspective, and I will do my best to pave the way for others to have their voices heard.
We all have something to contribute. We shouldn’t let fear hold us back from sharing our thoughts and unique insights because this could be the key to creating things that include us, meet needs, and provide solutions to problems that can only be seen from a different perspective.
