Have you ever had a hobby or interest that you love so much it has become a part of your identity? For me, musical theatre fulfills this category. I rarely listen to new songs on the radio, every day for me is filled with Broadway cast albums. In fact, I am currently listening to "Hamilton," which is an incredible show written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Go check it out, it is absolutely brilliant. I won’t bore you with raving about my favorite musicals, but I just had to plug "Hamilton" because it deserves the attention.

I used to be bothered that I couldn’t sing along to whatever happened to be on the radio on car rides with my friends. Now, however, I have realized that just because I do not know much about pop culture does not mean I am completely removed from the generation. I still am aware of certain trends and I take part in a lot of generational fads. Of course, I am still more invested in musical theatre. Ask me what shows a certain actor has been in, and I can rattle them off in under ten seconds. Ask me what Taylor Swift’s latest song is, and I’ll look at you dumbfounded. That’s just the way I am, and honestly, I don’t mind it.

It’s okay to have unconventional interests. I have begun to surround myself more and more with individuals who understand my obsession with musical theatre. Now, I have friends who belt out every word of "Next to Normal" (that’s a musical) with me, who freak out every time a new vlog is posted on Broadway.com, and who jump at the chance to go see a show in Charlotte together. I don’t feel as strange and isolated as I once did, because I am able to balance this vital aspect of my life with other interests, making me a more well-rounded individual.

Take pride in your individuality. If there’s one thing that I preach time and time again, it’s to love every small thing that adds to your identity and differentiates you from other people. It is okay to not have everything in common with every person you meet. It is okay to not take interest in certain things media promotes just because they’re popular. It is undoubtedly okay to fall in love with something despite adversity. Find something you are passionate about and invest in that feeling. Embrace who you are, because who you are is more than enough.