Put simply, unique means one-of-a-kind. Every person on earth is one-of-a-kind, yet we often try to fit in. While connection and belonging is important, it can be easy to suppress our true feelings and unique traits by trying to follow the status quo.

being the only one of a particular type; single; sole. without equal or like; unparalleled. informal. very remarkable or unusual.

Being unique implies you are different from other people. When it snows, every snowflake is unique — it has its own shape. Special is when you are more important than other people. When Joe Biden becomes president, he is seen as more important than others.