Individuality. The thing that makes you who you are. The thing that makes other people value your purpose and existence in their lives. The thing that shouldn't be a burden waiting to be released and forgotten forever. The thing that is blindly stated over and over again, but cannot be stressed enough. Be yourself.
Wow! Haven't heard that before! is probably what you all are thinking. If that's true, why do I see so many teenagers trying to be someone they aren't just to fit into society's norms. This is something that I really care about and really want to understand the sole purpose for why we do this. The friends I made years ago are the people I genuinely wanted to have in my lives, nothing will ever change that. You don't have to change yourselves so that other people will like you. You don't have to put on a demeanor of someone who you has the life you strive to have. It's just not worth it.
I hate seeing people get hurt by others who they thought meant something to them. How can someone just suddenly flip the switch from enjoying your presence to ignoring your existence in a matter of a few days? Are people aware of the toll these actions take on others? I have been in this spot, recently as a matter of fact. It sucks, to say the least. We are left in a state of confusion more than anything else. This confusion erodes at our minds and makes us question What did I do wrong? as if it was completely our fault. A little reassurance would be nice, but its really hard to just be blunt and find out what happened. The fear of the response is really what fuels our confusion. This is definitely not a position that anyone should be put in.
This quote by Alan Watts encompasses it all, "Waking up to who you are requires letting go of who you imagine yourself to be." Your true self is the person who is unbothered by society's customs and beliefs. Your genuine self is the person who forgets about those negative, fear-based thoughts camping out in your brain. Your authentic self is the person who loves and accepts the privilege that is you. Your real self is the person who resists the urge to suppress your natural identity for the purpose of fitting in. Letting go of the labels and stereotypes can only be a good thing, a path to that part of you that you lost touch with when your focus had been steered towards pleasing everyone. Their happiness matters more than your own. Their beliefs replace your own. Their standards become your own. No!
What I think people don't realize fast enough is that you are pleasing everyone but yourself. Now this absolutely breaks my heart. The saying is repeated and repeated and repeated, everyone knows that. The real self of the people who are judging you are yet to be tapped. The thoughts that drive you to conform to society are inevitable. Indeed, they will come and go at uneven intervals. Face them and do not let them overwhelm you! Stay strong and let them pass without getting attached. Go out into the world and be you, individual, unique, and inspirational than ever before. You are worthy in society and whoever thinks differently is driven by fear. People like you for who you are! People value your true self that you locked away! Come back! We miss you!
-N
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