This talk explores how quiet, everyday microaggressions slowly chip away at identity. Using the metaphor of paper and foil, the speaker shares her experience growing up as “different” in Japan and the moment she found language to describe her pain. Her message: we’re not fragile—we’re resilient. Through small, intentional affirmations, we can ease each other’s wounds and build a kinder, more curious world. Born in Nagoya, Japan, and holding French-British nationality, Lykke Yuki-Alexandra Lafaye is a researcher, speaker, and advocate deeply committed to fostering understanding around identity, culture, and diversity. After completing her undergraduate studies at Sophia University in Tokyo, she continued into the Graduate Program in Global Studies, focusing on complex societal issues such as prejudice, discrimination, and intersectionality in modern Japan. Her insightful analysis and poignant storytelling led her to become a highly valued teaching assistant in courses addressing these critical topics. Lykke's journey is uniquely personal. Raised between cultures and navigating multilingual environments from childhood, she experienced firsthand the subtle yet profound impact of microaggressions and cultural dissonance. These experiences became foundational to her academic and professional pursuits, inspiring her to actively bridge divides through education and open dialogue. Beyond academia, Lykke is also a seasoned public speaker and has notably taken the stage at TEDx events, illuminating the nuanced ways microaggressions affect individual identity and resilience. Using innovative analogies—such as comparing emotional resilience to the process of smoothing crumpled aluminum foil—she passionately communicates strategies for empowerment and healing. Alongside her research and teaching roles, Lykke is actively involved in translation and cross-cultural communication, utilizing her bilingual proficiency in Japanese and English to enhance global dialogues on diversity and inclusion. She has also contributed to various seminars, workshops, and academic publications dedicated to promoting deeper intercultural understanding. Currently residing in Tokyo, Lykke continues to engage audiences worldwide, championing empathy, inclusivity, and mutual respect as essential tools for fostering meaningful human connections. 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