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Imagine this: It’s your first day at school and you are nervous but excited. Before you enter, your parents offer you some advice. They say, “Have fun and be yourself.” You know it is best to listen to them, but there are other thoughts running through your head.
“Be yourself? OK… are you sure? What if they don’t like me?”
“Maybe if I just blend in, everyone will like me and things will be better.”
“If I don’t stand out, I will fit in.”
You’ll never imagine it, but your parents might have been right. Crazy, huh? But really, not being true to who you are is the best harm you’ll be able to do to yourself. Truly, the best. Let’s dive into it.
When you are truly yourself, something magical happens. You form deeper connections and begin to surround yourself with individuals who make you’re feeling comfortable in your individuality. There is something powerful about knowing that there is no one such as you.
If this is true (and it is), why do we get so worked up about letting our personality shine through?
Often, the fear of rejection stops us from showing our true selves. People tend to think that if they stand out, they’ll be omitted. That others will look at them as black sheep. Guess what? I have been rejected and omitted more times than I can count, but not for lack of authenticity. If I get rejected or omitted for showing my personality, then that circumstance is not suitable for me.
Sure, I could put on a mask and pretend I used to be exactly who I needed to be to fit the situation. But in the end, it would only hurt me. If something is not right for me, it’s just… not right for me.
Think about it.
If you succumb to peer pressure to fit a stereotype, you almost put yourself in a box (talk about claustrophobia) – trying to fit perfectly into the mold you’re feeling from your peers or society of how it is best to behave or what your opinions should be. When you are attempting to fit into these boxes and meet certain social expectations, you lose sight of yourself. You will not feel fulfilled in on a regular basis life.
It’s essential to take time to get to know yourself. Understanding yourself, your strengths and weaknesses, goals, desires – all it will provide help to develop. Getting to know yourself is an investment that, I promise, can pay off in the long term. Knowing yourself will allow you to make decisions that are consistent with who you are, not who others expect you to be.
I have never been one to follow the crowd. I have at all times believed in doing things authentically, whether it was work or on a regular basis life. And you know what? It seems to work. People notice when you are real and authentic. It’s like a breath of fresh air. People want authenticity. Why? It’s easier to find similarities and interests when you know who someone is. It’s at all times about connection.
March to the beat of your personal drum and soon everyone around you’ll too. It gives others permission and confidence to be who they are as you do the same. Then all the drums and beats come together to create the sweet symphony of the sounds of Don Henley, also often known as the best American drummer of all time.
How cool is that? By selecting to be yourself, you not only enrich your life, but also create a richer and more vibrant world around you that showcases your unique talents and countless creativity.
The world doesn’t need one other copy. I would like YOU. I would like your passions, ideas and creativity. It needs every little thing that makes you unique. I would like every little thing that makes you You.
Embrace your individuality. By being authentically yourself, you encourage those around you and encourage others to do the same.
So be yourself. No apologies, exceptionally you. Because in a world where everyone else is busy, being yourself is the strongest thing you’ll be able to do.