In this TEDx talk, Reem Eshaal shares a deeply personal journey of transformation — from being a talkative, expressive child often told to “stay quiet,” to becoming a confident young speaker who proudly owns her voice. With honesty, emotion, and humor, she reflects on how society’s labels made her feel “too much,” and how that led her to shrink herself and avoid the very platforms she once loved.But through the encouragement of a teacher and her own determination, Reem found the courage to reclaim her space, face her fears, and rediscover the power of her voice. Her story isn’t just about public speaking — it’s about self-worth, identity, and the courage to rise above criticism.Reem invites her audience to look within and ask: Have you ever been made to feel small for being yourself? Her message is a powerful reminder that no one needs permission to be heard — and that the very thing people once criticized you for might just become your greatest strength. Through her words, Reem hopes to ignite confidence in every listener who’s ever been told they were “too much.” A driven 9th-grade student and President of the Peace Gavel Club, Reem Eshaal is a public speaking champion and tech talk winner. Her journey from nervous beginnings to global stages includes being a Semifinalist in the ORMA Speech Contest 2024, Contest Master of the Kerala Championship of Public Speaking, and Semifinalist at Kerala and National levels. She earned 1st Runner-Up in the International Speech Contest (CYGC) and excelled in tech forums as a two-time Tech Talk Champion at the Global Indian Digital Fest, 1st Runner-Up at the International Digital Fest, and 3rd Prize winner at the World Digital Fest Summit. Reem's mission is to empower others to find and use their voice boldly. 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