I Applied To TEDxLondon
The deadline was today, and I tried my hand. I don’t have an inspiring story, but I have one. One worth sharing. This is why I applied to TEDxLondon.
‘I take my chances, even if it takes effort – no effort is wasted.’
With eight hours to the deadline, I thought about applying.
I saw Jamala Osman’s post on Instagram.
I wasn’t inspired particularly by her experience, more by what I could share.
Not what it could do for me.
I’m often not concerned with the outcome, more the process.
The story is better than the result.
For me.
To tell and to embrace.
With failure or success comes a tale.
A tale that starts with a mission.
Mine was to do myself justice.
Mine was to prove to myself that I can take the rejection if it came.
Mine was to be optimistic against over 400 entries already.
I didn’t apply because I wanted to put myself on stage.
I didn’t apply because I knew that it would bring me greatness.
I applied because I value TEDx.
Their work and their mission.
There is no such thing as a single story is still the TEDx video that sticks with me.
I first watched it in Austin in 2017 as part of Gen-UN.
Then again in a lecture in London in early 2018.
I haven’t watched TEDx videos in a long time.
But they always add value.
They provide a platform for a voice.
I am always fighting for a voice.
I started my own blog so that I could license and legitimise my voice.
The blog helped me get an internship and has now been recognised by friends and former work colleagues alike.
I want to share some of what I wrote for telling the TEDx team about me:
My name is Danial Naqvi, I’m a 21 year old British-Pakistani from Southeast London. I’m a final year Human Geography undergraduate at Queen Mary University of London. My story is nothing extraordinary. I haven’t suffered painful hardships nor experienced paramount successes. I’m just on my journey. My story isn’t inspiring, but it’s relatable. I’m a walking contradiction, my daily grapples between passions is similar to many with the umpteen choices open to society in this day and age. I grew up a second generation immigrant kid with entitlement, but used it to my advantage. I want a life to be proud of, I want to work hard and feel happiness, I don’t want it on a plate. I suffer from anxiety, mental health is a big part of my life. Bullying too. It shaped me, but didn’t define me. I was an arrogant only-child, with a loveable character. A dangerously powerful combination that led to tens of fake friends and zero real connections. I love to write, I’ve written a daily blog since this time last year, it helped me a lot. Being raw, vulnerable and open; that’s the key. I’m more aware now, of myself and others, and that’s really where my story begins.
It’s hard to summarise yourself in one minute of video.
I tried to articulate my contradictions and personal struggles.
I emphasised I’m no different to anyone else.
I just chose to voice my opinion rather than sit behind a filter.
My idea for the TEDxLondon stage would help us to think critically of how we view ourselves.
Whether I get through or not, being vulnerable on video is something I’m learning.
Getting more comfortable with the uncomfortable.
Being more open to new things.
Trying and failing and trying again.
That’s what this age is all about.
A bunch of new changes are happening; the new house, the new surroundings and the new year.
So it’s a good time to throw myself into the deep end.
I applied to TEDxLondon