“Be a fruit loop in a world full of cheerios.” This is on my top 5 list of favorite quotes of all time. I consider this quote so unbelievably adoringly clever and cute that I can’t help but smile each time I read it. Looking past that fact that it’s comparing the reader to cereal, it reminds the reader of a common message: to be yourself. If you haven’t noticed by now, being yourself in the world we live in today may draw more attention than you wish for. For instance, if you were to pour yourself a bowl of cheerios and a fruit loop came falling out, of course you’re going to notice it. Some people won’t care. They’ll just continue on with their life and eat the fruit loop with the cheerios. But of course, in this world, there are some picky eaters. They’re going to single out the fruit loop, wonder why it’s there, pick it out and dispose of it. Thus, that being said, there are going to be people in this world who unknowingly or knowingly try to stop you from being yourself, from being a fruit loop.

We live in a world today where being ourselves can be a challenge. We all strive to be like a person who we consider more superior than ourselves. Whether it’s the ‘Regina George’ of your hometown, a famous Hollywood celebrity or even your goofy next-door neighbor, there is always that one person who you want to be like. You admire their style; you cry laughing at their jokes, and so on and so forth. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t look up to someone or appreciate his or her personality because we all need a role model of some sort in our in our life. But when you start changing yourself to be like that specific person is when the problem starts. Because what most people don’t realize is that by being yourself, you’re being a leader. And one of the hardest achievements that you will have to reach in your life, is to be a leader. There are people in this world who seem to have just popped out of the womb with a “hot chocolate and Panini to go,” ready to take on life with, “I’m going to be a CEO one day,” tattooed on their foreheads. There are people that are so vibrant, so outgoing and are unbelievingly willing to speak their mind that people can’t help but stop and admire them. People strive hard and yearn to have some of the qualities that ‘natural leaders’ seem to have. Those ‘natural leaders’ weren’t born like that. Those people made a choice. They chose not to conform to the rest of the world, they chose not to lay low, and they made the choice to stand out. That genuine choice is ultimately one of the bravest choices you’re going to have to make. There are going to be people who don’t fancy the real you. And sadly some people, out of that group of people, are going to try there hardest that you sure as heck know that they don’t like you. But what you need to tell yourself is, “who cares?” Because why should you?

If you want to post a picture of your "Pumpkin Spiced Latte" from Starbucks on your snap story then go for it. While people are calling you ‘basic,’ you're enjoying a delish beverage while their wasting their breath. If you would rather stay in for a quiet night and turn down a wild night with friends, then stay in. If they give a crap, then so be it. Guaranteed they’ll probably forget about it within 20 minutes. If your favorite song comes on at the store and you want to belt it, then belt it. People might exchange a few judgmental looks, but hey, we all know that half of those people wish they had the confidence to do that. At the end of the day when you lay your head on that pillow, you want to be happy right? Of course you do. And by being yourself, you’ll realize that your pretty dang content with life. So do yourself a favor, grab a spoon, pour some milk and channel your inner fruit loop.