To anyone who thinks that they have to change who they are to be happy, this is for you:

Ever since I was 6 years old, I knew that I was not a “typical girl”. Playing with barbies was never really my style, neither were any other “typical girl” activities. In elementary school,

while the other girls at sleepovers were fascinated with braiding hair and painting nails, I would crave throwing football or an epic battle of Rock Em’ Sock Em’ Robots.

During elementary school, when it came time to sign up for sports I had my heart set on playing football. I cut my hair and joined the team in third grade. It was the best feeling in the world. I was the odd ball out on the team, but I didn’t care. While I was on the field, I imagined myself as Emmitt Smith, dodging and juking tacklers on the way to the goal line. In reality of course, I was nowhere close to as good as Emmitt Smith was. Buy hey, wearing shoulder pads and a football helmet felt pretty damn cool regardless of my performance. I felt like myself.

I played football for two years and then took interest in another sport that was also mostly dominated by boys, hockey. Hockey was my favorite sport to watch with my Dad. The atmosphere in a hockey rink was incomparable to any other sport that I had watched. I thought about it constantly and wanted to play in the worst way. My parents were supportive even though it was another very physical sport for a girl to play. Being the only girl on the team never bothered me. Some people suggested that it was wrong, but all I knew is that I was tough enough to play and that it made me so incredibly happy while doing it.

Involving myself in “boy activities” as a child allowed me to see that you always have to be yourself, even if society might suggest that it is wrong. I thank my parents for supporting who I wanted to be, if they had not I probably would not have had the opportunity to come to this understanding.

The joy that I have felt from doing the things that I love, as opposed the the things that others say I should do is what has helped me identify who I am. It has allowed me to lead my life with passion and limit my regrets. It is simple, lead your path that you want and stay true to who you are.

Barbies are fun, if you are into that sort of thing. If you are not, don’t be discouraged, find something that allows you to be you.