During everyone’s childhood years, we have all experienced phases in which we try expressing ourselves as someone new. Whether it was being an Emo/Scene, a prep, punk rockstar or skater chick, we all have a time in our adolescent years or even adult years where we look back and cringe at the phase we decided to go through.
Personally, my childhood phase was being a tomboy. During the years of 10 till about 13, all I was found wearing were Michael Jordan sneakers and baggy Nike basketball shorts. Yeah, that style might not be the look I currently go for, but it was a time in which I experienced something completely outside my comfort zone.
When looking back at those crazy years of our childhoods, most of us blush and feel embarrassed of thinking about who we once were. But instead, we all should embrace the time in which we chose to take charge in who we wanted to be. In my eyes, a majority of today’s society are too focused on blending in and being like everyone else instead of being who they want to be. Yeah, that may sound ideal when trying to avoid standing out, but how would you ever know who and what you want to be if you choose to follow the footsteps of someone else?
When I experienced my phase of being a tomboy, looking around, I was one of very few girls my age who experienced the same phase I was. Most girls in sixth to eighth grade were walking around in Hollister graphic tees and colored jeans while I was in Jordan slide ons with my basketball high top socks. Sure I was the one standing out against most, but it never personally bothered me to be the odd ball in the group.
Almost 10 years after this phase, as I look around, not too much has changed. Think about it, trends still hold control to this day. And if you don't fall in a popular trend, how do people around you react to it? Do they look at you in a different way? Maybe shoot a double look at what you’re wearing? Has it effected close relationships to you? If you answered yes to any of these questions, in my eyes, you are doing nothing more than showing self respect and pride toward the person you are. It proves that you are one of very few individuals in today’s time who take charge of the person they want to be compared to being the person everyone wants you to be. Trust me, more than likely, being someone outside the box can be very challenging. According to ParentFurther, “Ages of 10-14 are the ages when peer pressure has the most influence. Kids are more interested in “being the same” and “being accepted.” Thus, many will do things with others they would never do alone” Especially experiencing self change as a kid, parents and other kids your age are usually the ones who will break you down. Throwing bullying in as a factor, we all are aware of the uprise in childhood bullying not only verbally, but through social media as well. Instead of allowing them to change who you are, embrace the person you want to be and speak loud in your actions to express that no one will be able to defeat who you are as an individual. Learning such a factor early in life is key; it makes being the adult you reverie about much more accepting and easier.
Looking on the flip side, I am grateful to have been alive to experience the acceptance of gay marriage in our country of the United States of America. Years ago, many didn't accept gay relationships. And many continue to dislike our new outlet of love now. Personally, I am all for our new acceptance of marriage of individuals. Because at the end of day, love is love. What does it matter who it is with?
Even though I don't continue to wear my basketball shorts and sneakers, I never regret going through such a phase. I may not have noticed it then, but now, I see that I did learn a lot about myself. I notice now that I am more vulnerable to be who I want to be and not necessarily what everyone around me is being.
So, next time you come across someone who looks to be the one standing out, shoot them a smile instead of a dirty look. If it is you who chooses to be someone new, do it. Accept it. Don’t let it go. Because at the end of the day, who wants to look back and regret not being the person they always dreamed of?