Lets face it, life is not always easy. Whether it's the not so nice kids at school, a bad hair day, or just a bad attitude, life can suck sometimes. The stereotypical idea to fit in to societies norms is a problem that adolescents especially face on an every day basis. We are taught to blend in to the crowd, not to stray from the pack, and to be like how we are expected to be. But why? For what? Dare to be different.

Dare to be different because life is boring otherwise. Without spontaneity, it is hard to make it through the day. Dye your hair a crazy color, blue or pink or purple or blonde even! Wear a t-shirt or a skirt that you normally wouldn't, because why not? Laugh as loud as humanly possible, stick up for others who want to be different too, make a silly face all the time. Don't be afraid of criticism or funny looks, because those people are secretly wishing they had the courage you have. It is easy to feel like we should just conform to whatever is "normal" or currently "in" or "popular". Don't let that discourage you! Be different for all those who can't be. There is a quote from one of my favorite movies from when I was little, Aquamarine. A mermaid (yes, a mermaid) who ends up on land trying to prove to her father that love exists. Along the way, she teaches her two friends that being different is the best attribute to have in life. My favorite quote from the movie is when they are in a mall and the mermaid Aquamarine yells out to everyone to say hi. When her friends are embarrassed and shocked, Aquamarine says, "Why go through life unnoticed?" I couldn't agree more! If you take nothing away from this article (besides the fact that I referenced a movie with a mermaid), remember one thing. At the end of the day, the only person you need to make happy is yourself. Don't go through life miserable trying to please others, be true to you, ALWAYS.