Currently there are 7.4 billion people living in this world. Each one of those 7.4 billion people are special and unique in their own separate way. They might share many similarities, but the fact remains that each person in that 7.4 billion pool has traits that make them one of a kind.

Recently, I have become aware of a trend that just doesn’t quite sit to well with me. People nowadays seem to be throwing their individuality out of the window in order to emulate someone else that they deem more successful or popular. This trend is really prevalent amongst individuals who fall into the young adult age range. During this age period individuals should be really working to perfect themselves and amplify their strengths, while at the same time correcting their weaknesses. However, very few people are able to go through this metamorphosis because they are too busy trying to be like someone else.

“Just be yourself” is often the advice giving to a person when the find themselves in a pressing situation. For the most part this advice is very true. There are many factors that go into the creation of someone’s personality, each one of this factors differs from person to person. Essentially your personality is an extension of yourself. Who you are as person can be cultivated and modified but it cannot be changed all together. When you try to change who you are at the core, in order to emulate someone else you are basically fighting against yourself. Not only are you fighting against yourself, you are also being disingenuous with the world because you are pretending to be someone you’re not. This disingenuousness leads to the inability to form organic connections and relationships with other people. Along with this long term happiness will be elusive because essentially you are living a lie by trying to be someone you’re not.

Lebron James can’t be Steph Curry, and Steph Curry can’t be Lebron James. If Curry tried to be like James he would fail epically because he does not possess the combination of speed, athleticism and height that James has. Now does that mean Curry can’t be a good basketball player? No, what it means is that Curry cannot emulate James and have James type results, but what Curry can do and has did is develop his own strengths and correct his own weaknesses in order to be the best possible version of himself. The two players will never be similar as they both have different skill sets, but they still can be successful in the same field by being the best possible version of themselves.

They key factor behind someone trying to emulate the likeness of another is lack of patience and drive. Rather than analyze, understand and better themselves, individuals who imitate others are in search of a quick fix. They think that by copying the behavior and personality traits of an individual they perceive to be successful that they too can achieve that same success. What they don’t consider is the factors that make that person who he/she is, and why that persons attributes serves them well. Attempting to copy someone will lead to emptiness and if done to long, you could eventually lose sight of who you are as person.

If you are currently imitating somebody stop immediately. Understand that you are unique and have many good qualities, all you have to do is show them. Take some alone time to think about the good qualities you have. Once you find them, the next step is to find a way to express them. If you believe you have none, find a family member or a long time friend and ask them what they think your best qualities are and what are some weaknesses you need to work on. Finally remember that no can be you like you can you, so embrace who are and go show it to the world.

Stop trying to be someone else and just be you.