When Bad Things Happen | Elise Nguyen | TEDxLAHS

[annieevie]

I am extremely glad I found this TED talk, but at the same time found it extremely painful to listen to. Just over a month ago, I lost my Mum. My best friends, the very people I thought I could rely on to support me, have acted exactly as she described. They said nothing. They avoided the topic because it made them feel uncomfortable. Dealing with the pain of grief is one of the most difficult things I’ve ever experienced, but simultaneously having to deal with unempathetic friends, who try to push my grief under the rug, has been just impossible. No matter how I tried to explain to them that I needed them to be there for me, they just never seemed to care. My requests for support spent over a month landing on deaf ears before I eventually lost my temper at them, after which they decided to abandon me completely. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through in my entire life.
The only thing I am holding on to is that this experience has given me the empathy and the knowledge so that one day, when I am in the position of supporting someone in my situation, I will not act the same way. I sure hope I can be the difference between support and abandonment for someone in the future. Because I understand on a visceral level how difficult this is.

[gurshaanarora]

Well-spoken and insightful whilst discussing a topic that can be difficult to touch upon personally, yet we all can relate to it. Amazing talk.

[kayleygould]

Such a beautiful, strong person sharing such a vulnerable and important topic!!! ❤️

[richa_krishna]

elise, this is such a captivating, important talk. i am so proud of you and your beautiful soul ❤️