Feeling like an outsider

I moved from Dubai to Kuala Lumpur when I was 15 years old.

In the middle of the semester, I moved to a completely different school system: from a local school system to an international school, from a boy’s school to a co-ed school, from a school with one or two nationalities to a school with 50 or 60 nationalities.

Let’s just say it was a drastic difference from what I was used to.

In Dubai, I was a big shot in school. I was captain of the swimming team, excelled in sports, was a prefect, and even won the school Scrabble tournament.

In Kuala Lumpur, I was a kid who dressed funny and spoke funny.

It was nearly three or four months before I felt I had made my first friend; another person dropped into school mid-semester just a few days after me. We bonded over that.

And honestly, if I did not play football, I shudder to think how I would have made friends.

It’s easy to feel lost when you’re an outsider, but those experiences shape us in ways we don’t always realise at the time.

Looking back, I see how that discomfort expanded my perspective, deepened my empathy, and ultimately led to friendships and experiences I wouldn’t trade for anything.

Today’s Prompts

1 - When was a time you felt like an outsider? How did you handle it?

2 - How do you typically respond when you notice someone else struggling to fit in?

3 - Do you know someone who doesn’t fit in? What can you do to help them?

Get the most out of your journalling:

• Choose one prompt: Focus on just one prompt each day to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

• Be brutally honest: Reflect openly and honestly. This is your safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings.

• Take your time: Sometimes it takes a few days to clarify your thinking. Here’s permission for you to take your time to unravel a prompt and not take on any new ones during that time.

• Journal your way: Whether you prefer writing, audio recording, or video, choose the method that suits you best.

• Don't stress about streaks: If you miss a day, don't worry. You can always revisit a previous prompt.

I’d love your feedback

What was your favourite prompt of the day? Is there any specific challenge you want prompts for? How can I improve the content of the newsletter? Reply this mail and let me know!