When we are growing up, we are told to dream big and be whatever we want to be, yet we are taught nothing more than how to fit into the mold and be like everyone else. We are stuck at a crossroads of whether to live our lives as the people we want to be or the people we think we’re supposed to be. We go through life comparing who we are to everyone else. We compare our appearances, we compare our talents and interests. We put so much emphasis on the opinions those around us that we forget to think about what we want and what we care about.

But why is being ourselves such a risk?

We have become a society that makes all of our decisions based on what others will think. What activity is going to give us the best Facebook post, which outfit is going to get us the most likes. We change the way we think, the way we dress, and the way we act based on what what we see and hear, yet not what we feel. We’re so busy worrying about everyone else in the world that we forget about the most important opinion: our own.

Your clothes do not determine your self-worth, and neither do others’ opinions of you.

Every tiny particle we are composed of was made a little bit different than everyone else, and that is the single greatest thing about us. Our differences are what make us who we are. Our hobbies and our opinions all come together to form unique and wonderful beings, each with new and beautiful things to offer. Even our flaws make us special; we aren’t supposed to be like everyone else. No one else in the entire world has the opportunity to be us; only we do.

There will be times in our lives when going against the crowd will be difficult. People won't always like us for it. But at the end of the day, knowing that we stayed true to ourselves will be worth so much more than anything else. Do things because you choose to do them. It will give you so much more motivation knowing that the things you are striving for truly mean something to you. Be proud of who you are and what you stand for.

We’ve all been given a gift, the gift of individuality. We’ve been given the chance to take on our own perspective and shift the world in our own way. The world wouldn't be so great if we all thought exactly the same; which is why we shouldn't, and why we don't. Imagine how wonderful it would be if we fully embraced who we are. We could change our lives, we could change the world. Maybe one day we’ll all realize how great that really is and take on its full advantage. Maybe we’ll all be better people for it.