In a world obsessed with opinions, how much of ourselves do we sacrifice just to fit in? Aryaman Solanki reflects on his school years, where body-shaming and judgment pushed him to constantly reinvent himself for others’ approval. But when acceptance finally came, he realized it was too late, because the real problem wasn’t him at all. With honesty and courage, Aryaman shares why chasing validation is a battle we can never win. His talk is a call to embrace authenticity, reminding us that true freedom begins when we stop needing permission to be ourselves. Mr. Aryaman Solanki is an aspiring entrepreneur with a strong drive to innovate and create meaningful impact. As part of a generation unafraid to question norms and forge new paths, he brings with him a spirit of exploration and bold curiosity. At TEDxYouth@SVIS, he joins the stage not with certainty, but with the courage to spark conversations; ones that challenge expectations and open space for new ideas. Aryaman reminds us that change isn’t just about creating something new, but about stepping into uncertainty, asking better questions, and daring to dream beyond the obvious. 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