Redefining self compassion & mental illness: Dylan Stirewalt at TEDxTerryTalks 2013

When Dylan turned 3, her mother gave her custody to her father and started a long journey that would see her struggle with homelessness and mental illness. Yet, her love and compassion has given Dylan the wonderful gift of acceptance and inspiration throughout her life. Dylan speaks about the struggles that many people face in accepting themselves and draws from her own personal struggle with mental illness.

Dylan Stirewalt, a 3rd year Film Production student, seeks to explore the concept of self-compassion and how people's perception of failure leads to them see themselves as victims of circumstance, and not the creator of their own experience. She hopes to inspire others to see compassion as not just an outward practice, but also something that they should show to themselves in the face of failure and adversity.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[mahimabankura]

I wish I could hug you. Thank you for sharing your story, love.

[IVgic]

You are a beautiful person and remind me of so many strong and courageous people that I've had the chance of meeting. Stories like this one that is so meaningful can truly change the world.

[KomalSingh-cmgc]

"Nobody else is going to fix that void - nobody else - I have to find that strength within myself. " - so raw and so insightful.

[hstrout]

When you place your hand on your heart and temple it spoke to me it is such a divine sign of self compassion😘 I keep doing this and telling myself I love you, all is well.

[dntbeevil]

<3 I am listening to this on a loop, over, and over, and over again, because I need it to be solidly planted in my soul... Thank you Dylan, you are beautiful in your space.

[lydiacousins]

Thank you. For me this was very helpful. I feel some relief from my own burdens and shame. I appreciate your genuine presentation of your self. Xx

[fitglopro]

I'm more than grateful I listened to this tonight. It's message is redeeming, transformative and especially redemptive and beautiful. I felt wonderful hearing these words. Amen! What courage this took! Thank you.

[robinbishop]

Thank you, Dylan. You are beautiful. You made me remember to be kind to my struggling parts and acknowledge that accepting vulnerability and working through our fears and sorrows is what makes us better able to help ourselves and others. You are empathetic, and wise. I hope your talk reaches a wide audience. This is what a hurting world needs to hear.

[lindakeene]

Thank you for sharing this. You've expressed two important things - that mentally ill and homeless people are not just the dregs of society; they are mothers, daughters, family members. We tend to forget that and how difficult it is to not know how to help someone you care about. The other thing was that you felt your mother's mental illness was caused by her family not accepting her and that accepting yourself is what has enabled you to get through the fear of losing her. Your mother gave you the best gift a child can get - unconditional love. It's just such a shame she was denied that in her childhood.

[.dot.connector]

wow! thanks for giving such a nice example of courage and not hiding in the face of pain.

I especially got something from the point, when you contrasted supressing ones broken parts and accepting them plus the fact that no one else can do it. We heard that before, I think, but it came across very real from your speach.

thank you.

[ThePhaeriephox]

I knew you and your Mom when you were just a child. She was a wonderful, insightful woman. She was very sensitive to everything around her, a real empath. She loved you very much, I know that much. She just couldn't go on as she was. I'm SO glad that she is okay and that you are ok. Thank you for this talk, it answers a lot of questions I still had about that time.

[livelovebio]

You probably have heard this a bunch by now but I will add to their voices - You are BRAVE! What a powerful story to share. Thank you for being raw, real and honest. So hard in front of 500 people (and now the internet)... But I so firmly believe that when we present our vulnerabilities to others with sincerity, the universe gives us a massive hug in return. I hope this is your experience too.

Much love and respect!

[petejohnson]

Thank you for your courage and authenticity. Truly beautiful. :-)

[cynthiahawkins]

The 'flaws' in a piece of marble, the 'bumps' in woven silk and linen....the knots in..a tree..these are all examples of variation and beauty. In humans, if we can see that... in ourselves and others, then we are really ready to learn the lessons this can impart. Blest be.

[kristylynn]

Thank you!
Just the message I needed to hear!
Exactly when I needed to hear it ❤️

[Laurie]

My story is not that different. I have had years and years of trying to fit in. Protecting my mother and other family members.
How real this is.. How deep and profound. How meaningful..

[joshuahelmeke]

Bravo! I do hope that someday you can neuro-regularity. Psyche meds can (and do) deplete, but they offer a BIG stepping stone towards neuro-regularity and emotional hygiene. You deserve that. Good luck.