Who Am I? | Khalifa Albarra Damanik | TEDxCRIBS Youth

A 13-year-old student from Depok shares a personal reflection on comparing himself to his friends and copying their habits, handwriting and speaking style. He describes how this left him feeling that something was missing, and how he came to see that he had not stopped to ask who he himself was. The talk was given at a TEDx event organized independently by a local community.

• Feeling pressure to be more like friends in kindness, intelligence or talent
• Copying habits, handwriting and speaking style
• Realizing the need to ask who you really are
• Presented at an independently organized TEDx event

Have you ever looked at your friends and thought, “I wish I were more like them” Maybe they are kinder, smarter, or better at schoolwork. Yes, I thought about that too, I saw my friend and asked to myself “Why are they better than me?”, “Why are they smarter than me?” or “Why are they more talented than me?”. So i started copying them in many things like their habits, handwriting, even speaking style. I copied many things from them, at first I thought it was common for a 13 years old teenager like me. But then I realized that I started to feel like something was missing. I was trying so hard to become someone else that I hadn't really stopped to ask who I was. I am an eighth-grader student from Cahaya Rancamaya Islamic Boarding School ~ Junior high who was born on December 3, 2012, in Depok, and still lives in Pancoran mas district, Depok My hobby is reading books, drawing and playing video games. The reason why i join TEDx is to improve my english pronouncing skills and memorization skills. I also hope with joining this program i can gain more confidence and learn valuable experiences that will help me to grow in the future. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx