Today’s culture has adopted the idea of “being yourself” as an excuse for doing whatever one craves. The original concept of being yourself stood for individuals adapting personalities that stood out from those around them. People would tell those with identity issues to find confidence in their true self. Somewhere, throughout the past decade, the saying “be yourself” became a free pass to immorality. This dilemma has introduced our society to new divisions.
The most noticeable action with this excuse comes from young women dressing provocatively to match their “true self." I witness countless times when a girl wears revealing clothing and excuses herself by stating that it is simply her style. If they receive negative connotations they immediately find offense. They defend, “this is who I am.” Society protects these girls by arguing that they are welcome to dress according to their personal style. This situation introduces more inappropriate clothing because girls know they can always claim offense if someone mentions their taste of style. In the opinion of most girls, they clothe themselves inappropriately as a way to “express themselves.”
People now engage in unseemly activities with the reasoning of finding themselves or being themselves. They act widely while claiming justification. Young people seem too scared to claim responsibility for their poor choices, so they blame their “undiscovered self.” This generation has lost the clarity between right and wrong because they say that no one can be wrong if they are being themselves. So, instead of moral and immoral, others are all simply individuals with their own stance on living. We have to adjust this mindset and return back to true morals.
The biggest problem with being yourself comes from moral people titled as judgmental because they speak their mind as to what is appropriate. The world has framed decent humans as arrogant people who refuse to accept change. Christians who input their opinion of society’s growing corruption turn into the enemy of this new generation. We hear how Christians are the most critical group to others, but we simply stand firm in our beliefs. Some individuals do come across as condemnatory, but I believe there are more effective ways to show other’s faults without shaming them in the process. I, myself, know that just because someone claims they are “being themselves,” that it might not be right. There is a heavy line between right and wrong and no one can alter that based on their personal belief.
In my opinion, being yourself comes from the act of confidently obtaining a personality or manner despite how others will react. If you are more quirky than the average person, then you shouldn't feel like hiding your eccentric character just because someone judges you for it. If you tend to be bashful, then you shouldn't feel like you have to be an extrovert to not be titled as a loser. Everyone has a God-given character and no one should compromise being themselves just to fit in.
I am tired of observing immorality be justified by society solely because someone is “being themselves” and pursuing their personal desires. This pattern leads to an even more corrupted culture that has absolutely no morals. We need to reinstall wholesome principles into the generations to redirect our path. The only one able to do so is God. The church requires new means to reach out to the world in a fresh way. We cannot buy into the standard that “being yourself” always holds a positive role. The next time someone claims they are “being themselves,” ask yourself whether they are actually holding onto their character or whether they are simply trying to excuse their unethical behavior.
