Topics mentioned: Self-esteem
About: For many people, heritage is a big part of their identity. This 17-year-old shares the challenges they faced growing up, how things changed over time, and how they eventually learned to embrace who they are.
Most of my friends didn't understand my culture, which made fitting in difficult.
Growing up, my journey as a Pakistani Muslim teenager was complex, and it came with many challenges. Most of my friends didn't understand my culture, which made fitting in difficult. I also endured countless mean comments. Some people found our traditional dress weird or strange. Eventually, I realised that people’s unkindness and cruelty towards me was because of my heritage. I internalised their beliefs and mean comments, which led to me hating myself and hiding this important part of who I was. It had a profound impact on my mental health and I suffered with low self-esteem and confidence for a long time.
I internalised their beliefs and mean comments, which led to me hating myself and hiding this important part of who I was.
However, as I got older, I moved school and spent more time with friends and family who shared my heritage. This was the best thing for me because I became immersed again in the things that brought me closer to my roots. I started to realise how much joy it brought me. I learned that the right circle of people will be willing to understand me rather than judge me. Even some of my friends who weren't Pakistani were willing to learn about me at my new school. I was finally in a good place again after years of struggling to accept who I was. I decided that I was done hiding my heritage. It is an important part of me and hiding it meant losing myself, which I will never do again. I started being unapologetically myself. I started wearing my cultural clothes again without caring about others' opinions, eating Asian food in public and educating people on my Pakistani identity and background rather than staying quiet when they made cruel comments.
I started being unapologetically myself.
Choosing to be myself again wasn't easy in this judgemental society, but it was an important decision. Some people are still cruel, but I’ve learned to ignore them. The right people will always accept me and my heritage. I don't care about unkind people anymore because I am so much happier and have improved my mental health significantly since I stopped hiding this important part of myself.
Choosing to be myself again wasn't easy in this judgemental society, but it was an important decision.
My advice to anyone who is struggling with the same thing, is to remember that there is nothing wrong with you or your heritage. Some people will make you feel like that, but you need to remember that diversity is a beautiful thing. If you hide this part of your identity , it will only feel like losing a part of yourself. Choose to be yourself and embrace who you are. I promise you will find people who accept you and celebrate your culture with you.
I promise you will find people who accept you and celebrate your culture with you.
I also have these 3 tips which are important for someone wanting to celebrate their heritage and culture:
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Spend time with friends and family who share your background, the joy they bring you can help you fall in love with it again.
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Wear your cultural clothing in public without caring about what other people will say.
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Don't be afraid to speak up and educate people. You don't have to stay silent to keep the peace when people are making ignorant or hurtful comments.
Celebrate your diversity and heritage. I hope my blog is helpful :)