It's been such a long time and welcome back to the third episode of Number X! This is a safe and free place to tell your stories. My name is Emma, your host for today.

-Guest-

Emma Lai (she/they), Grade 11 high school student, known as "Emma Squared" with Emma Y. in their English class.

-Contents-

1. The need to fit in.

2. To pretend or not to pretend?

3. How and why do we want to fit in?

4. Isolation is heartbreaking, but new people do come.

5. You can act, but never really be who you act for them to see.

6. The meaning of "individuality."

7. Being called "different."

8. What if being unique turns into being performative?

9. Do you feel okay being lonely?

10. Pressure to be "original" vs. pressure to "fit in."

11. Screw balance for now. Is it possible to have both at the same time?

12. The kind of space or person makes you feel both safe and free.

13. In bigger settings (e.g., at school), is it harder to be yourself or to fit in?

14. If you're struggling already, being a teenager makes everything even more confusing.

15. Tell your younger self one thing about belonging or being different.