Trends come and go but the only thing remaining is you. In a social climate that is constantly evolving, it may seem impossible to remain the same. Human development and intellectual growth over a lifetime are inevitable, but once an individual has established their values, they shouldn't change them solely to adhere to what society expects of them.

Social media and pop culture contribute to the idea that one must thrive to be like celebrities and individuals of status to be deemed valid in society. Raising various insecurities stemming from appearance to financial affluence; paying homage to these platforms alters the way you see yourself and other people.

A way to mindfully ensure that social media will not shift your identity is to predominantly follow accounts that reflect authentic representations of the person or message being delivered; steer clear of accounts consisting of posts that make you feel that you need to change who you are.

This action takes a lot of self-awareness on a mental and emotional level; to be able to identify certain things that make you tick is a valuable skill and is one that should be acquired sooner than later for it can truly be beneficial throughout the rest of your life.

Remaining authentic is something I pride myself on for I don't remember a time that I wasn't unapologetically myself. From a young age, I knew I was different, but I came to terms with it and further fostered the qualities that made me different because I knew these qualities we're going to be what set me apart from my competition in the long run.

I have been able to put myself out there and speak up for as long as I can remember, and I have benefited from that sole quality immensely. From leadership positions at the school to internship opportunities and college interviews, this quality that I kept in my back pocket has been a key factor in many of my successes.

Another quality that I've always obtained is a strong personality, not allowing others to influence my views or behaviors has set me apart from a lot of people I have grown up with. It is typical to "find" yourself through middle school, high school, and even college, but already knowing who I was from such a young age has given me such peace of mind, allowing me to focus my energy on other, more productive things.

The importance of staying true to yourself is heavy for one cannot truly be happy leading an unauthentic life. Everyone is entitled to the right of exploring and "finding" themselves, but once you've established your value, it would simply be counterproductive in the exploration of your persona to change for the comfort or acceptance of people that probably will not be a part of your life in a year or less.

Loving yourself enough to lead a genuine life is priceless, for it will lead to a surrounding filled with people who love you for who you truly are. The vulnerability of being yourself may seem inconvenient, but in the long run, it will direct you to a peaceful path in life where you will no longer have to keep up appearances to please your peers.

A symptom of your authenticity will be the surfacing of trolls, especially if you are a female, but simply use them as fuel to continue what you are doing. Those who comment and criticize you aren't usually those who are doing better than you so keep that in mind as you continue your journey through life.

It is an unfortunate reality, but you're not successful if you don't have haters. I've had my fair share and to be honest, I don't mind them; it's nice to have fans.