Page 50 - Expressions - 23

The Social Chameleon

My Life as a Nomadic Outsider

Have you ever encountered an individual who
fades into the background, whose presence easily

slips away amidst the sea of people? That person

was me, the one who never quite found their
place, the one who felt like an outsider in every

situation. My life has been marked by constant

movement and relocation, with me being the new Sudhanshu upadhyay

kid in school more times than I care to count. 2020-24 ece

Throughout my formative years, I attended a dozen different institutions,

each located in a different city and scattered all over the country. My father's

profession mandated these transfers, giving me little control over my own
life. Just as I started to build friendships and establish a sense of belonging,

the harsh reality of displacement would set in, and I would be uprooted yet

again.
This nomadic lifestyle has left me grappling with a question that constantly

occupies my thoughts: do our surroundings shape us, or do we shape

ourselves based on the patterns that we encounter? As I ponder my life's
trajectory, I can't help but wonder if my tendency for seeking out new

activities and experiences stems from genuine curiosity or a subconscious

desire to be remembered and leave a lasting impression. This tendency has

influenced me greatly and became a reason for me to connect with everyone
around me as soon as possible, or risk being left out.

While I have undoubtedly benefited from the

countless lessons I've learnt through my

constant movement and relocation, I must
acknowledge that my eagerness to establish

connections with those around me has

occasionally bordered on being intrusive.

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