The Courage To Shed: Stepping Into Your Unwritten Identity. | Cinthia Catarina Tila | TEDxCIU

Описание: Who do you become... when you strip away the mask? Teaching us the courage to step into an unwritten identity...

In this talk, Cinthia challenges the belief that identity must be fixed to a single dream or
predetermined path. Drawing from personal experience and psychological perspectives, she
explores how many people remain loyal to outdated identities, not because they still align, but
because changing direction is often perceived as failure.
Through her own journey, from aspiring scientist to business student, leader, dancer, and
speaker, she illustrates how identity does not disappear when plans change, but reorganizes.
The qualities that matter most such as curiosity, creativity, logic, expression, and presence,
can resurface in unexpected forms when rigid definitions are released.
The talk reframes growth as a process of unlearning rather than accumulation. By becoming
aware of emotional attachments to old identities, allowing uncertainty, and making space for
experimentation, individuals can move beyond inherited expectations and reconnect with
what genuinely fits their evolving self.
Ultimately, this talk offers a redefinition of growth: not as fulfilling every promise made in
childhood, but as having the courage to shed what no longer fits in order to expand what is
still possible. A Business Administration student at Bahçeşehir Cyprus University,
where she explores the intersection of leadership, human behavior, and creativity. Alongside her academic studies, she is completing a certification in Emotional Management, a field focused on understanding how unprocessed emotions influence performance, relationships, and overall well-being. Beyond the classroom, Cinthia serves as the President of a student club at BAU (Business
Club), leading initiatives centered on personal and professional growth, mindset, and community impact. Outside of academics, she is a cheerleader, dancer, and artist. These passions reflect her creative nature and ongoing curiosity for personal growth and expression.
She also creates content on emotional intelligence and adaptability, with a focus on developing self-awareness and inner flexibility.
Through her work and studies, she continues to explore the idea that identity is not fixed, but an evolving process shaped by awareness, choice, and experience. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx