In her TEDx talk titled “Half Bloomed: Living in the In-Between,” Tika Tazkya Nurdyawati takes us on a reflective journey through the complexities of identity and existence. She explores the often-overlooked space between who we were and who we aspire to be, emphasizing the importance of embracing the present moment. Tika identifies this middle ground as a “messy space,” where we grapple with the weight of our past experiences and the uncertainties of our future aspirations.
Drawing from psychological and cultural insights, she discusses how societal pressures lead us to glorify productivity and speed, often dismissing the significance of “now.” Through four key dimensions—temporal, psychological, cultural, and personal—she encourages us to shift our focus from external validation to internal awareness and presence. Tika highlights that true fulfillment lies in appreciating our current journey rather than fixating on achievements and regrets. Ultimately, she invites us to redefine our understanding of life and growth, advocating for a mindful engagement with our “unfinished” selves.
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Author Video Description
This talk is about being in that in-between phase of life, the grey area where things aren’t quite clear yet. Many of us feel like we’ve moved on from who we used to be, but haven’t exactly arrived at who we want to become, and that’s completely okay. The goal of this session is to remind students that not having everything figured out doesn’t mean you’re falling behind. Growth isn’t always loud or visible. You’re allowed to be in progress, half bloomed, still learning, still evolving, and still moving forward at your own pace. Tika Tazkya Nurdyawati is an International Relations postgraduate student at the University of Melbourne, where she serves as Scholarships & Critical Thinking Student Ambassador. As founder of Yayasan Insani Tazkya Gemilang and CEO of Muda Empati Graphic, she combines academic rigor with grassroots empathy to empower young people to think critically, seek global opportunities, and lead with compassion. Tika’s story reminds us that education is not just about credentials—but about transforming mindset, community, and possibility. 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
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TEDx is an international community that organizes TED-style events anywhere and everywhere — celebrating locally-driven ideas and elevating them to a global stage. TEDx events are produced independently of TED conferences, each event curates speakers on their own, but based on TED’s format and rules.
Video “Half Bloomed: Living in the In-Between | Tika Tazkya Nurdyawati | TEDxTSM” was uploaded on 10/13/2025 to Youtube Channel TEDx Talks