I know you want to feel accepted. I know you admire your friends, that’s why you’re friends with them. There is nothing wrong with that. The problem arises when you change yourself to be like them. Our society is constructed in a way that makes you want to conform to norms. Every part of its design asks you to blend in, to go with the flow, and to worry about how others perceive you. I get it, I really do, standing out is scary, but It is so worth it.

Recently I’ve been noticing that college is breeding ground for copycats. As I walk around campus I’ve seen certain categories begin to form. Sure there are different groups of people and everyone is an individual, but I see a groups of friends all wearing the same brands. I see groups walking around with the same hair colors, the same styles, the same political views, the same hobbies, and the same habits. We are psychologically programmed to be attracted to those most similar to us so it makes sense that there would be similarities within groups, but it has turned into so much more than that.

I’ve seen people change who they are to fit in certain groups. I’ve watched friends turn into different people right in front of me, always depending on who else is sitting at the table. Change is ok, change is good, change is how we grow, but these people are not changing themselves, they are only changing other’s perceptions of them.

It is OK to be the different one in the group. It is ok to have a different opinion. It is ok to dress different from the rest of your friends. It is ok that you enjoy spending your time in different ways.

You should never change the way you act, dress, or think to appeal to the interests of others. If you change yourself you are allowing others to decide how you should live. If you insincerely change your behaviors to match others, then you are fake.

Be brave.Be your own person. Don’t copy that hair color your best friend just posted on instagram. Don’t go to the party if you don’t want to. Don’t nod in agreement with an opinion that goes against your own. Speak up.

According to scientists, the chance of you being born into the life you’re living is 1 in 400 trillion. You are 1 in 400 trillion. Don’t waste that trying to be just like everyone else. You are not everyone else. You are you, and you are special. Be proud of who you are and others will be proud of you too.

When you start living life as the person you are, you will be so much happier. You will be able to use that energy you were wasting on blending in on the things you really care about. You can’t like who you are if you’re pretending to be someone you’re not.

Be the kid that dances alone outside the student union. Be the kid that sings in the street. Be the one who dresses a little different. Be the one who is happy. Be the one who is loud. Be the one who is always proud.