"How To Be Yourself," a self-help book by renowned author Aby Tesfaye...I'm kidding, I'm kidding. I don't think I'm completely equipped to write a self-help book about being myself as a young adult. What exactly does it mean to be yourself? You may ask this question, but there isn't a definitive answer to the question except a certain feeling within.
I've attended two elementary schools in my day and, as the resident "new" kid in my last elementary school, I'm familiar with the sentiment. At 9 years old, I had to leave all my friends behind to attend the elementary school across town and, let me tell you, I truly thought my life ended during that drive to the new school.
I remember walking into class that day being stared down by unfamiliar faces and wondering, "Why the hell did I have to move schools?" On that specific day, I despised my parents for their choice, but I've since forgiven them. As a child, I was ambitious, energetic and free, but something about that school caused me to hide my personality and attempt to fit in with the other kids.
This kid who was once loud, wild and adventurous turned quiet and fearful of the opinions these children could form based off of first impressions. I became scared of what they would think of me, so I began watching my words and actions to fit in. I started to be this version of the students in my class who acted, dressed and talked the same. I basically lost myself as a child to fit in with a bunch of children that didn't matter.
From elementary school to middle school, I turned into this shy child that never spoke unless spoken to. I feared what kids would think of me, so I turned into this hermit crab that only came out for a select few. Basically, I turned into a shell of myself, I wasn't "me." And then I met the people I call my real friends, the people I can truly be myself around and I'm completely grateful.
I have to be honest that it really was one specific friend who showed me how to be myself, a childhood friend that I met at six years old when we were just two kids trying to make friends on the very first day of first grade. We may have lost our way through attending different schools at times, but she never changed, even to this day. Through growing from a young child to a young adult, she's always stuck true to herself. Unafraid to never change for anyone, she taught me to be myself.
I've learned to stop caring about what others think about me and to live my best and most sincere life. Life is too short to constantly be living in fear of the judgements that others might make of you. So, please, stop worrying about the thoughts of others and just live for a moment. Once you realize the freedom and joy that comes with living your life how you wish, you'll be free of fear and begin to truly live. Now, at 20 years old, I'm undoubtedly myself and, as weird as that sounds, I'm happy to say that. Thank you to all the friends and family who taught me to be "me".
