You never really notice how multiple people can look the same until you actually take a second and look around. And I mean really look. I just recently came across this realization when I thought three people were the same person. I thought I was seeing everything in threes. "Three people?" I thought. I looked down at my hands and I still only had two, so I knew I wasn't going crazy, at least not at this moment. Little did I know that that they were actually different, individual people. What caused this mistake though? I came to realize that this was no coincidence.
If you look around, you see it everywhere. So many people have devoted their lives to fitting in that they have sadly conformed to society's norms. Now almost everyone carries the same type of backpack, wears the same shoes, acts the same, and even has the same eyebrows. But why? Are people so afraid to do what they want? Has the world made people afraid to be who they are? Sadly, not everyone is accepting, and it's not easy to break out of you comfort zone. People will tear you down. They will tell you you're worthless only because they think you are different. But what is different anyway? And what is normal?
The world has put a label on things that seem to appropriate for that given time. Whatever is slightly abnormal is considered "different" if it doesn't follow the same norm. I think this stinks. I can't think of anything dumber than creating a set way of life that people have to follow in order to feel like a person.
The truth is, most people aren't going to understand you. And that's okay. Take a chance anyway. You should never have to conform or be somebody that you're not, or think that you have something to prove to someone.
Buy some weird hat that you've never seen anyone wearing and wear it all day. You'll get some weird looks, but who cares? It's a cool hat, and you're rocking it. Go out and do yoga in the middle of the silverware aisle at Walmart. You might get in trouble, but it was fun right? Find someone and tell them about your cool seashell collection. Not everyone has their own seashell collection, but that's ok, because that's you. And that's really cool. I have an unhealthy obsession with potato salad and I have way too many paintings of flowers on my walls, but that's okay because that's me. And I don't care.
Sue Sylvester once said "There's not much of a difference between a stadium full of cheering fans and a angry crowd screaming abuse at you. They're both just making a lot of noise." You can let people bring you down, or you can take their screaming as an opportunity to make you feel even more awesome. Be strong. Trust yourself. Love yourself. Be something unique and original; you'll be glad you did.
