Here is the deal, I am without a doubt, 100%, a self-diagnosed people pleaser.

Recently, I have learned that this little thing about me has defined me at times. This label has forced me to sit down, to hide my voice, and to make decisions I didn't really want to make.

But wait for it...

You can't please everyone.

Let's repeat that one a little louder for the people in the back.

YOU CAN NOT PLEASE EVERYONE.

There are days filled with heaps of anxiety and when dissected a large root at the center of it all is this desire to please the people around me.

Ever been there?

Ya, we all feel the pressure. We feel the pressure to be seen and to feel the comfort of knowing that we are loved by everyone around us. Sometimes this means that we organize our days around the desire to feel that love.

Maybe this means we post a photo that seems "perfect", just to rack up all those uplifting comments.

Maybe this means that we agree with someone even though we don't actually agree with them at all.

Maybe this means that we dress a certain way, or spend our money on certain materialistic things strictly out of the desire to fit in.

I know for a fact that I have done all three of these things and looking back, I am disappointed in myself.

Because in all reality, it didn't make me grow.

Posting a photo that piled up encouraging comments didn't fill a void.

Dressing a specific way just because my peers did definitely did not make me super confident.

And leaning into ideas that those around me have and agreeing just to fit in, didn't make me any more educated.

From the start of our childhood, we have this desire to fit in. Teenagers worldwide give in to peer pressure on a daily basis all out of that silly little need that matters oh so much.

But what about when that doesn't work? What about when all of that fails?

This my friend, is why I want to let you in on a little secret. It is alright to be set apart. In a world where everyone is striving to fit in, you are allowed to be set apart.

Sure, you may feel a little funky actually living life in a new way but you will find your people.

These people will let you know that you are more than allowed to have your own opinion. These people will keep you in check when it comes to sticking with your beliefs and standing by them, and if and when they don't, perhaps they aren't the friend you thought that they were.

Life is going to hit you hard and knock you down, and if you don't know who you are, it's going to be a whole lot harder to pick yourself up.

Get up, my dear. You don't need to impress others. You don't need to pile up the likes and comments. You need to know that courage comes in knowing that you are loved even when you don't feel seen.