Recently, I've found myself in my head maybe a little too much. My mind is a toxic playground that I just love to play in. The thoughts start turning, and before you know it, I've completely psyched myself out about something that doesn't even exist. Call it a vivid imagination or maybe an anxiety filled chaotic-coaster, but whatever it is -- it's ruining me. I overthink absolutely everything that occurs to me every day. I put on a dress and my mind starts turning, Is this too short? Do I care if it's too short? What if people stare? What would my mom think? Do I even like this dress? What if I walk down the street and I trip, then everyone is going to see my underwear, and I'll live in shame for an easy six months? Do the stripes make me look weird? What if another girl has this? It haunts me with everything I do. Will people judge me if I order this type of coffee? What will people think if I have my headphones in while I'm shopping? Will someone make fun of me if I take a picture of this? What if I totally bomb my audition and people laugh? What if I get new glasses and people don't like them? And what I have to say now is who cares? I mean seriously, is anyone going to be personally victimized or harmed if I just be myself?

I am so sick of being scared of not living up to "society's standards." You know what I have to say? Forget society's standards. We were not put on this Earth to live the same type of life in every generation. Every day this world is changing. Things are being invented, people are aging, things are falling apart, things are changing. And would it be so bad if these "standards" were dropped as a change? "You can't wear that, people will get the wrong idea!" and, "You can't do that, you're a woman!" and, "Boys can't wear things like that!" and, "You can't do that, you're black!" Stop this close-minded, constant loop of nonsense that is molding our generations to think that what we are doing is wrong. We are meant to change, and we are meant to make a difference.

"You can't live the same year over and over again and call it a life."

-- Anonymous

It is time to drop these "standards" that society has tried to pound into our brains and be ourselves. None of us are supposed to be the same. None. We are meant to be our own people. Of course, we share ideas and concepts and all the in-betweens. But that is because we are collaborating. We are all brilliant and bring so much to the table that when we share and collaborate, wonderful things come out of it. So stop being scared to be yourself. If you share the same mindset as someone else, talk to them about it. Embrace it. Don't feel ashamed that you have the same shoes or read the same books. That is wonderful. Don't be afraid of the word "basic." In fact, f*** the word "basic." Be you. You are wonderful. You are powerful. You are you. Embrace yourself, love yourself, and enjoy yourself.