I Don’t Know How to Be Human

What Does It Mean to Be Human?

The first thing I thought about when I was starting this, or when the idea came to me, was: Who else is doing this? Who else is talking about this online?

That thought stopped me in my tracks. It’s the mentality we’ve been conditioned to accept—this idea that if someone else is already doing it, then why should we? But why should that stop me? Why should that stop any of us?

I am one of billions on this planet, and yet I feel like I can’t do this because there’s someone else already doing it. That doesn’t make sense. So, I decided: I don’t care anymore.

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The Struggle to Belong

Originally, I thought this blog would be about hair—about my experience as a Black African woman in the middle of England, where access to hair and skincare products isn’t always easy. But deep down, I knew I didn’t just want to talk about hair.

I wanted to talk about something bigger.

Because honestly? I don’t know how to be human anymore.

I was raised to believe that being different was a gift, that my uniqueness mattered. Yet, somehow, I still find myself trying so hard to fit in. Trying to be good at what I do, not just for myself, but to feel seen, to be validated.

I used to create art because I loved it. Now, I create because it’s expected of me. I am filling a void for others but not for myself.

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The Digital Age & Identity Crisis

We live in an age where AI helps us think, where technology is meant to make life easier. But somehow, it feels like it’s making things worse.

I find myself questioning everything—my worth, my value, my identity and even my ability as a parent. I wonder if AI is the next big shift, the way the microwave and washing machine changed our parents’ lives. But unlike those, AI doesn’t feel simple. It feels overwhelming. And I don’t know if it’s making me more human or less.

The truth is, I feel lost.

We’re told to stay positive, to push forward, to “just be happy.” But that’s not always real. Toxic positivity tells us to ignore our discomfort, to pretend that everything is fine even when it isn’t. But I don’t want to ignore it anymore. I want to sit with it, acknowledge it, and find balance in the chaos.

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Final Reflection: What Does Being Human Mean to You?

Life isn’t just about being happy. It’s about being human.

And right now? I’m just trying to figure out how to do that.

So what does being human mean to you? How do you navigate the complexities of self-worth in a digital world?

• Understanding self-worth in a world of comparison
• How technology shapes our identity
• Finding balance in an age of digital overwhelm

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