Reflection: First Time on a Panel 🎤

Reflecting on my experience from last night’s @admaantu panel discussion: I found myself amidst a group of incredibly talented creatives, each overflowing with knowledge and insight, and a genuine eagerness to share. Amidst them, I couldn’t shake off the feeling of being an imposter. For those unfamiliar with me, I struggle with severe performance anxiety and stage fright. I always joke that my brain-to-mouth connection just stops working.

Off stage, I struggle with keeping my mouth shut so there were a lot that I didn’t feel powerful enough to share so I’ve written them down:

1️⃣ FOLLOW YOUR EMOTIONS

Your emotions are your secret personal compass. The knowledge and experience you have gained are just what you know, but you can’t “know” what you have never been exposed to. Pay attention to what brings you joy, what causes anxiety, and what truly resonates with you—these are the answers you seek.

2️⃣ YOU ARE WORTHY OF YOUR DREAMS

Dreams are personal and specifically yours. Don’t throw them aside just because they seem out of reach or your current reality isn’t on your side YET. The world we live in today—with food delivered to your doorstep, rapid air travel, and seamless plumbing—was once merely someone’s dream.

3️⃣ YOU ARE A CREATIVE—LIVE LIKE ONE

You are not a factory or a machine. You are a living and breathing human being. You’ll never burn out if you are truly focused on yourself & your wellbeing. Treat your work not as a means to put food on the table but rather your creative outlet to express.

4️⃣ DESIGN YOUR LIFE

Do not conform to what a working life looks like. Take the time to understand yourself—your likes, work preferences, and motivators—and build a life that aligns with your true self. Remember that your life doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s.

5️⃣ YOUR HAPPINESS IS WHAT YOU ARE WORKING SO HARD FOR

Behind every aspiration for wealth, success, or recognition lies a desire to simply be happy and feel good. You cannot sacrifice happiness to achieve happiness.

This might not resonate with everyone but it’s what I felt called to sharing ❤️✨ Loving yourself is also allowing yourself to simply be you and take up space.