Remember the first day of school? You were afraid and didn’t know anyone. You sat in class all awkward and shy hoping someone would magically become your friend. When you came home, your mom reassured you to just be yourself and people will love you just as you are.
For a free-spirited kindergartener, that advice might have worked its magic. Nowadays, teens are more scared than 6 year olds to “be themselves”. Maybe it’s because we don’t really know who we really are. We have been protecting and pretending for so long; we have forgotten. We’ve hidden behind our Coach Bags and generic clothes just to fit in and veiling our true feelings just to be nice. I’m certainly no exception to this, but I just want to ask when it became “uncool” to be ourselves?
Maybe it was when you said that stupid comment at lunch and everyone just giggled to themselves. How about that time you almost tripped down the stairs at school and everyone noticed? Whatever situation it may be, we must not let it bother us. Laugh, relax, and let it go because life is too short to overanalyze.
In short, many of us just forget that we are all human and all susceptible to judgment. And folks let’s be honest here, everyone’s #1 (or at least top 3) priority is self betterment. Everyone in this society is seeking one thing: approval. Whether it’s to get your mom to extend your curfew or getting that really cute kid to like you, approval is a universal concept. How does one get approval? My advice is the same as your mom gave you way back in kindergarten. Let down your guard, make stupid comments (and not care!), and cut that weird kid some slack because we’re not all that different. In fact, we all share a common goal that is worth more than any designer bag.
