What Does It Mean To Be Yourself? | Carly Sotas | TEDxYouth@Granville

In a society driven by image and success, learning how to be yourself is one of the most difficult things you'll ever do. Sharing personal challenges and insights from her book "Illusion," Carly Sotas explores how the fear of not being good enough prevents us making an impact and achieving our dreams.

Video production by Kyle Gomes, Ashli Forbes, Joana Lapurga, Zachary Moss, and Marshall Lu.

Carly Sotas is the author of Illusion, a non-fiction book which explores questions of identity, happiness, and success.

As a teenager, Carly read magazines for advice on how to be successful and confident, but was left feeling discouraged and inadequate, because the lifestyle presented seemed unattainable. Motivated by a desire to start a more relatable and authentic conversation, Carly wrote Illusion, sharing her struggles in hopes of letting other young people know that they are not alone in the challenges they face and in their desire to pursue their dreams.

With a passion for youth development and education, Carly serves as the co-program director of Vancouver’s Heart of the City Piano Program, a music education program that provides accessible music lessons to underserved youth. She is also the co-founder of the Pencils of Promise chapter at The University of British Columbia, the global education organization to which she is donating the proceeds from Illusion.

[Saketsinha]

Most genuine Ted X till date, Thank abhi and niu for recommending this masterpiece

[mayankgoyal]

Be yourself means:
1. Don't work for social validation.
2. Make your own goals, don't get influenced by others. like he has that Porsche, now my goal is to buy one. Buying Porsche is not bad but the intention is, how you come to that goal or thought.
3. Observe your feelings, emotions and thoughts, and than act.

[firebird]

“The meanest critic you’re ever going to meet is the one you see when you look in the mirror” - Best quote of the century

[articfoxqueen]

I would gladly be myself, if only I knew who I ducking am

[muhammadkarim]

Be yourself is, act like how you act when nobody around when everybody around you.

[ASMinor]

Be yourself. Figure out what you love and do it everyday. Ignore what other people think, and you'll notice that the right people will begin to gravitate towards you. You'll also start to notice that you care less and less about what others think, because you're perfect the way you are.

[thewayoflovepodcast]

Ralph waldo Emerson once said..the greatest accompaniment in life is to be yourself when everyone around trying to make you someone else. Very true

[frankthetank]

People tend to fall into the wrong crowd and become a totally different person to gain popularity and fit in so they forget their true friends for the ones that make them looked better, people try to be better then everyone else but we need to take a second to explore our inner self because we all have potential to be better but first we have to know ourselves better. : )

[GallOvrgs]

IF only I could have known this sooner, like in high school sooner!

[andra_]

I loved this video, and I love the concept of your book. I agree, it's simple to be ourselves, but not always easy. It's a daily practice!!

[khokh]

last year i was so happy with myself because i had a friend that i could truly be myself with, he convenienced me that i could be myself no matter who i was with. unfortunately, i lost contact with him and now, im very very uncertain of who i am anymore. one day, I'm the cool kid and the other day I'm the quite kid. i am pretty confident but i feel like if i don't act a certain way, people wouldn't like me.

[alnaskabeer]

I don't know why people always say don't change and be true to yourself.. if you think there's is an issue with you, you should change.. if you realise you are not what you want to be (don't be confused with what others want u to be), you have every right to change... Cause if you don't, you would regret it.

[marcosservin]

Everyone goes through some dilemma in their personal life. Once you share this story with someone and tell them how you got past it, the other person will see you as an inspiration

[niyatimavinkurve]

Just feeling emotional about the I Am Enough part. 3 words but they are so deep. And I see so many people struggling with their confidence. I AM Enough. We are all Enough. Thank you Carly. For this.

[bizzyg]

Being yourself - When a stranger knows and loves you better than the ones you love.

[hillystudies]

The Beauty of Freedom is Immeasurable
The Satisfaction of Dignity is Divine
You Do Not Need to be Someone You Are Not
JUST you are FINE
The world Needs You
Because There is Only One You
And Only You Can Be You, Like You Do

LOVE from Cappadocia!

[stephanieno]

Life always teaches us something. The topic is simple but powerful. You are not alone. I like that! BTW I am also a teen.

[jyotikadam]

It's actually inspiring speech ...it takes a lot of courage to be vulnerable while mostly we want is to be liked by society and for that attention we start trying to become another person which we are not...

[Dragon-uwxp]

Being myself if I be myself people would think I’m weird so I gotta learn don’t let other people opinions control u and wat u wanna do that’s a fact 100%

[kimberlydavis]

Absolutely beautiful talk, Carly! This is what brave looks like!