We always hear people tell us to be ourselves or to embrace what's different or unusual about who we are. It's a nice sentiment, but we live in a world where no one really means it. We're only allowed to be "different" in a way that makes sense; a slight deviant from the social norm.
Reflecting back, I realized something, I realized the categories we're placed into when we embrace who we really are, what we really love and are passionate about: Different. Strange. Freak.
In a world that encourages you to believe that we embrace differences, is also flawed and filled with untrue sentimentalities. Filled with idealistic beliefs that can never truly be implemented.
Do you really think it was popular during sorority recruitment week to answer, "What's your favorite Netflix show?" with American Horror Story? (Spoiler: it wasn't). I got looks and faces that I've too commonly seen before. The same faces I get when I wear whatever I want, whether it be unpopular or weird. The same faces I get when I wear purple or blue or black lipstick. The same face I get when I stand up for people instead of laugh about them. The same faces I get when people realize that they aren't looking at an exact reflection of themselves.
But you can't be afraid of these judgments. These reactions, comments and looks. You can't be scared into losing what makes you unique. Because when you conform, your original ideas, your creativity and individuality, and what you bring to the table, is lost forever.
Will people always accept you? No. Will you be laughed at? Probably. Will you be constantly misunderstood? You better believe it.
People are afraid of what they don't understand. If we see one person stand up against what society expects, our instinct is to eliminate the threat. Make fun of them. Laugh at them. Make it to where they are so afraid to be themselves that they lose who they are entirely.
I know it would be easy to tell people that your favorite show is Gossip Girl and that you're passionate about positive body image and that you enjoy shopping when you're stressed and that Channing Tatum is definitely your celebrity crush.
And maybe all of that is true, but maybe you hate Gossip Girl and could really care less about what you look like and maybe shopping is the last thing you ever want to do and maybe you don't find Channing Tatum attractive whatsoever.
Maybe you would fit in, but can you imagine what you would lose?
The ability to view the world in a way that it has never been viewed before. The ability to see things that no one else can. An intelligence and identity that belongs to you and you alone.
There are things in life that are important: being kind and being smart. Using your abilities and ideas to help others. Being unapologetically yourself, whether it be strange or unpopular.
But you have to remember, no one's going to remember how well you fit in.
You'll only be remembered if you stood out.
