Light Game, Deep Questions: Speak UP! Event

Identity & Self-Perception

            For this Speak UP! session, I wanted to try something a little different — something more interactive, more fun, but still meaningful.

The theme for the event was “Identity & Self-Perception,” and the goal was to create a space where people could explore who they are, how they see themselves, and how others might see them, too.

            The following article brings together two different perspectives from the event — mine as the host, and one from a participant (Marianthi) — to show how the experience felt from both sides of the screen.

Host Hsu Myat’s Perspective

            This event honestly turned out way better than I expected. We had four participants join, and we started off with a series of public speaking activities using ‘Mentimeter’, before moving on to a ‘Guess Who’ game. I had about ten questions prepared, with different types like multiple-choice polls, ranking activities, 100-point distributions, and one-word challenges.

            Everything was centered around ‘Identity & Self-Perception’, with questions about things like who we think the “real” us is and how we would describe ourselves.

What really stood out to me was how well everyone approached these questions. Even the ones I thought might be a bit too difficult were answered in such thoughtful and unique ways ­­— everyone had their own perspective, and it was honestly so interesting to see.

            One moment that’s still stuck in my mind was when I asked everyone to describe their vibe in one word, and someone said “ladybug.” It was so unexpected and creative, and it perfectly showed how original everyone’s answers were.

            As the session went on, I noticed people who were a bit shy at the beginning slowly started to open up more. By the middle of the event, everyone was sharing, responding, and really engaging with each other.

What started off as simple questions turned into something much deeper — one person even described it as a “therapy session,” which honestly felt like the perfect way to describe it.

            The Guess Who game was also such a highlight. We found out about so many interesting talents — from someone who’s been horseback riding for 10 years to someone who created an original comic with their own storyline and characters. It made the whole experience feel a lot more personal and connected. 

I’ve always felt like topics like identity and self-perception can be hard to talk about, but I was genuinely amazed at how well everyone expressed their thoughts. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

            I went into this event expecting a good discussion, but I didn’t expect it to stay with me the way it did. I thought I’d just be listening, but it actually made me question my very own answers too. And that shift in perspective is something I’ll carry with me even long after the event.

Participant Marianthi’s Perspective

            This event was definitely the perfect way to end my evening (it was around 9 p.m. for me). Hsu Myat used a quiz-based platform that guided us into surprisingly deep and meaningful — almost spiritual — conversations.

       What stood out most to me was the warm and welcoming atmosphere she created.

The format, combining interactive questions with a playful structure, made it very easy for participants to open up and share honestly. It encouraged genuine reflection while also allowing for a natural and engaging exchange of different perspectives.

       I especially appreciated how something as simple as a quiz could evolve into such thoughtful discussions. It felt both light and profound at the same time, which is not always easy to achieve in an online setting.

       Time passed incredibly quickly. It was truly enjoyable from start to finish. I can only imagine how even more enriching the experience would have been with greater participation, as the diversity of voices would have added even more depth to the conversation. I would genuinely encourage more people to join future sessions. It’s a unique opportunity to connect, reflect, and be part of something shared and meaningful.

       Overall, it was a beautifully balanced event that combined creativity, connection, and engaging dialogue.