A "loner" an "outsider" - these words have been the perfect description of myself all of my life. All throughout middle school and high school, I had a very hard time trying to find somewhere that I belonged and people that made me feel accepted. I mean, that's what we all want isn't it? To feel accepted? But no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't find that one group that made me feel like I belonged. I started to feel as if I didn't belong anywhere. I stayed so down and pretty much just went every day through the motions. I got up, went to school, came home, and then repeated it all over again. I was wasting the best years of my life and I couldn't seem to bring myself out of this monotonous state.
That's when I really started to stop and think. We are all subject to social stereotypes and standards. Society has given every one of us these standards that we have to live by in order to feel accepted. It wasn't until after graduation that I finally realized all of this. I realized that you don't have to be what society tells you to be. You are the only you there is, so why would you spend your life trying to be someone else or something you're not? Be who you are. Do what you like to do without caring about what others are going to think or say. Dr. Seuss said it best, "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." Surround yourself with people who enjoy your company. You don't even have to necessarily "fit in" with a particular group of people. Not fitting in is perfectly fine. If fitting in means I have to abide by all of the social standards that society has applied to us, then I'll gladly be an outsider. You are who you choose to be. No one can ever take that away from you. No one can ever tell you what to think or how to feel. You are free to be the person that you want to be. Not only that, but you are special and you are worth something.
Your life means something. No matter what any boy, girl, man or woman tells you, you are here for a reason. We are all here for each other. We're here to help those around us and to make those who feel unloved, feel loved. In return, it gives our lives purpose. What greater purpose can we have to live on this earth than to help and love one another? All of this to say, we all have felt unwanted. We all have felt left out. But that's not always a bad thing. You should never change yourself and who you are just to feel accepted. That goes for friends and relationships. Be who you are and those who love you will accept you for who you are. If that makes you an outsider, just know that you are not alone. If, for any reason you feel inadequate, go out and help someone in need. Make them feel loved. Give them a reason to go out and help others as well. Then you will know that your life means something. Because it does.
