In one of our recent t-shirt design workshops, something truly remarkable happened that I can’t stop thinking about. Out of 41 students in this workshop, one creative 9-year-old, was the only one that chose the giraffe stencils. This hardly happens before.
Popular options among the students that day included bold “This is Me” stencils, which featured human silhouettes and empowering vibes, and edgy werewolf stencils that practically howled with coolness. Predictably, most of the boys in his group gravitated toward these choices. But not him.
I couldn’t help but marvel at his choice. While his friends were diving into designs that symbolized strength, self-expression, or a sense of daring, he chose an animal that is gentle yet majestic, unassuming yet undeniably unique.
In that moment, I was reminded of how naturally kids embrace individuality when given the freedom to express themselves. He didn’t care what his friends were choosing. He wasn’t trying to fit in or follow trends. He was simply drawn to something that resonated with him, and he followed his instinct.
There’s a lesson in his choice—a lesson about being unapologetically yourself. So often, we find ourselves swayed by what’s popular, what’s expected, or what’s deemed “cool.” But individuality isn’t about fitting a mold; it’s about breaking out of it.
What if we all had the courage to pick the giraffe stencil? To stand tall and embrace what makes us unique, even when it’s different from what everyone else is doing?
His design was a masterpiece—not just because of the effort he put into it, but because it symbolized something much greater. It showed me how much beauty there is in being different, in celebrating the things that make us stand out.
As parents, teachers, or mentors, it’s worth asking ourselves: How can we nurture this kind of individuality in the children around us? How can we encourage them to embrace what they love, even if it’s not the popular choice?
So, this is him and his giraffe. May we all have the courage to choose our own stencils in life, stand tall, and celebrate the beauty of being uniquely ourselves.
What’s something you or your child have done recently that felt beautifully unique? Share your story in the comments—I’d love to hear it!
#IndividualityMatters #KidsWhoCreate #StandTallBeYou #CreaTeeMoments