Life has a way of transforming us into what society wants us to be rather than allowing us to just be who we want to be. I believe that you should be able to be whoever you want without being judged and without feeling like you are not good enough, pretty enough, or wealthy enough. So what if you are different? So what if you do not do what everyone is doing? The biggest concern and question is, are you happy?
Being different is OK, and doing your own thing is what sets you apart from others. If people in society were all the exact same, life would feel like one big blob. Think of society as a big puzzle. Not every puzzle piece is the same, and each one belongs in its own special place. Certain puzzle pieces have certain purposes. For example, corner pieces help structure the rest of the puzzle by giving it a base line. Other puzzle pieces just fall into place and fill in the gaps.
I have spent a majority of my life trying to be someone that I thought I was supposed to be. But the person others expected me to become was the complete opposite of the person I wanted to be. Growing up, I was told what was right from wrong without actually experiencing wrong for myself. I let society shape me, but the puzzle piece I was shaped to be didn’t fit the puzzle quite right. Something was off. When you’re little, your parents are supposed to be your backbone, your role model throughout life. This wasn’t exactly the case for me. I had a father who chose to not be around, a mother who did everything she could to be a successful single mom, and grandparents who jumped through hoops to be there for my mom and me. I felt rejected and not good enough. I had siblings and lots of friends, but I somehow managed to still feel like I was alone, rejected, and clueless to the world; this type of lifestyle shaped me to be very shy, on edge, and questioning my purpose in life.
A few years ago, I started to become this completely different "puzzle piece," and it was a perfect fit. I became more trusting of people, outgoing, willing to make new friends and not question their motives, and most of all, I stopped questioning who I was. I am me. I am a goofy, young, and full of life. I am someone who has life at her fingertips and is ready to live it to the fullest. I am finally happy with who I am.
So, if I could give you some simple life advice, it would be this:
Don’t spend a majority of your life questioning who you are. Don’t let people tell you who you are; be whoever you want to be. This glorious life is your opportunity to mold into the perfect puzzle piece. Don’t expect for everyone to accept you for who you are; it’s the way life is. People will judge, but who cares what others think. Stay true to you! Be your own person. Be your own puzzle piece.
