Looking like a kid: Curse or Blessing?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a petite girl. Growing up, I never quite looked my age. I was incredibly thin, a trait that made me an easy target for childhood teasing.

When I graduated from school at just 14 years old, my physical appearance certainly didn't match my academic milestones. Fed up, I made a fierce determination during the three-month break: I was going to gain weight.

Spoiler alert: It didn’t happen.

Moving into high school, I quickly reclaimed my status as the smallest one in the classroom. Back then, it was manageable. It was just a quirk of growing up. But when I transitioned into university for my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, the real challenges began.

People constantly assumed I was a fresh high school graduate. I could feel the lack of immediate professional respect. Yet, even that didn’t quite prepare me for what would happen once I entered the corporate world.

After finishing my studies, I landed my first official job. Inside the office walls, things were great. I worked hard, proved my dedication, and earned the genuine respect of my colleagues.

The real test happened the moment I stepped outside.

Whenever I went to external meetings or events, people simply did not take me seriously. To the outside world, I looked like a kid who lacked real-world knowledge. If I was out with colleagues, clients would direct the entire conversation to the person standing next to me likely assuming I was just an assistant tagging along.

The most defining moments of this journey happened when I began conducting training sessions for teachers. Sometimes, I had to travel to these sessions completely on my own, conducting training to people double my age. Some of them used to have this judgmental looks: “What is this child going to teach us?”

But I didn't let it affect me. I delivered my training with everything I had. And without fail, by the end of every single session, the atmosphere would completely shift. The skepticism turned into genuine belief, respect, and admiration. Knowing that I had earned their wholehearted respect through my capability alone gave me the utmost satisfaction.

I used to carry a lot of insecurity about not looking my age. It felt like an uphill battle just to be seen as an adult. But as the years roll on, my perspective has completely shifted.

What I once viewed as a flaw, I now see as an absolute blessing. While the initial hurdles of proving myself were tough, they forced me to let my work and talent speak for themselves. And honestly? Looking ahead at the next ten years, I realize I’ll probably still look incredibly young and that would be something to flex.