Watch on: YouTube

On the TEDx Coolhaven Women stage, I shared one of the most personal stories of my life.

For years, I hid offline, behind a version of myself that felt safe, acceptable, expected.
Coming out meant reclaiming my truth and choosing to live authentically.

In “The Digital Closet,” I use that experience as a mirror for what’s happening today.
Because while I once hid in a physical closet, many now hide in a digital one: Shaped by algorithms, filters, and the pressure to perform.

This talk is about that tension between being liked and being real.
And about the courage it takes to step out, both online and in life.

Watch the full talk on the official TEDx YouTube channel: Digital Closet: Protecting Authenticity in a Hyper-Connected World | Emily van Putten | TEDxCoolhaven Women