Why is it that differences make us so uncomfortable? Why does it take everything inside of us to keep from judging others when we see someone who is inexplicably different from us doing their own thing? Why is it so uncomfortable and terrifying and difficult to love the people we come into contact with who are not like us? And why is it so hard to love ourselves when we find that we are not like others at all?

In today’s society we learn to fit in. To become exactly like the person next to us. To laugh at the same jokes. To enjoy the same music. To wear the same clothes. To become carbon copies of one another. Billions of different strands of DNA exist in this world, yet we’re all the "same". But what would happen if we celebrated our differences instead of trying to fit into the roles society has created for us?

I say we as the individuals who make up “society” stop giving in to the pressure to conform. I say we do what we love, even if it means our families and friends have trouble understanding. If you have a passion, breathe life into it. Practice it. If you don’t, seek out new hobbies or genres of music or talents. I swear to you something is out there that will make your life more fulfilling than the daily cycle of monotony you have allowed yourself to become so accustomed to.

Be the person you want to be before it’s too late. Experience the life, challenges, friendships, downfalls, loves and triumphs that await you. Whatever you do, live. Even if we fail and fall hard, I say we start doing the things that make us, us. I say we stop looking around first to make sure it’s okay to be who we are. All of the time we spend being timid and unsure of ourselves or judging others who know who they are could instead be spent building ourselves and others up.

Some of you may not know what you want to do with your lives at the moment, and that’s okay. Or, if you’re anything like me, you question why you decided on your major, whether you’re good enough to be who want to be, or if who you’ve been known as your whole life is still who you want to be. Or, maybe that’s just me.

Every aspect of your life, miniscule to significant, is subject to question and subject to change. Again, that’s okay. Just don’t allow yourself to dwell on all of the questions. If you take the time to stand out from the crowd, pursue a life of passion, and build yourself and others up, I think you will be just fine. You will find happiness, and you will dedicate much more of your time to helping others celebrate the beauty of their individuality. So much wisdom and freedom can be gained through simply being ourselves and allowing others to do the same.