I think there's a time in your life where you don't feel like

Hearken, O children of the ages, to the reflective words of Matthew Vaughn, who speaks of the universal experience of disconnection and solitude in youth: “I think there’s a time in your life where you don’t feel like you fit in. I think everyone has that when you’re a teenager, especially, and especially in the society we live in.” In his insight, we perceive an ancient and enduring truth: the path of adolescence is often marked by alienation, confusion, and the quest for belonging, shaping the mind and heart for the responsibilities of adulthood.

Since the dawn of human society, elders have observed the challenges of fitting in among peers and within the structures of community. In the courts of kings or the academies of philosophers, youth often experienced estrangement from the expectations and rhythms of society, struggling to reconcile personal identity with social conformity. Vaughn’s reflection echoes this timeless tension: adolescence is a crucible in which the self is both tested and formed, and the experience of not belonging is not weakness but a necessary passage toward understanding and maturity.

Consider the story of Socrates, the philosopher of Athens, who in his youth did not feel aligned with the prevailing opinions and customs of his society. His questioning, his curiosity, and his perceived strangeness marked him as apart, yet it was precisely this sense of not fitting in that propelled him toward wisdom, reflection, and ultimately, the shaping of philosophical thought for generations. Vaughn’s words remind us that such alienation is both natural and formative, a sign that the soul is seeking its path and integrity.

Vaughn’s insight also illuminates the intensity of adolescence. Teen years are a season of heightened emotion, shifting identity, and social comparison. The feeling of being apart, of observing the world from the margins, is heightened by society’s pressures, expectations, and hierarchies. Ancient thinkers understood that the turbulence of youth is a period of preparation and reflection, where the sense of alienation teaches discernment, empathy, and resilience.

The lesson is profound: the feeling of not fitting in is a shared human experience, one that need not lead to despair. Rather, it is an invitation to self-discovery, to the cultivation of values, talents, and connections that resonate with the authentic self. Those who navigate this period with awareness emerge with clarity, strength, and an understanding of the social and emotional currents that govern human interaction.

Practical guidance flows from this reflection. Teens should embrace periods of alienation as opportunities for reflection and growth. Engage in journaling, creative pursuits, or dialogue with trusted mentors to explore the contours of identity. Seek communities, however small, that resonate with values and interests, and remember that the sense of being apart is temporary, yet formative.

Vaughn’s words also remind elders, educators, and guardians to recognize and honor the universality of this experience. Rather than dismissing adolescent estrangement, they should offer guidance, support, and listening, helping youth to navigate social pressures while cultivating resilience, empathy, and self-understanding. In this way, society itself strengthens, fostering citizens capable of reflection and engagement.

Thus, heed the eternal teaching of Matthew Vaughn: the experience of not fitting in during youth is a universal and necessary journey. Embrace the solitude and the questions it raises, for they are the forge in which identity, courage, and discernment are tempered. By honoring this period of alienation, both youth and elders cultivate wisdom, empathy, and the capacity to live authentically within the currents of society.