As members of the human race, we all feel compelled to fit into our surrounding environment—to blend in. Essentially, a survival-of-the-fittest scenario. Yet, no matter how hard you try, you will always be a true piece of your authentic self. No matter if it’s a small quirk you picked up, a catchphrase you repeat from your favorite movie, or a song you grew up with.
The people you surround yourself with will eventually shape the person you become, and you will shape the person they become. It’s human nature. And, no matter how hard a pill it is to truly swallow, there will always be somebody who will judge you, make fun of you, and belittle you. Whether it’s due to jealousy, true distaste, or a mask they put on—there will always be somebody. And this is inevitable. To put it shortly, everybody will care, so why can’t you be the one to break the cycle?
Comparison gnaws at your bones. You see in the media a new trend, a new t-shirt you already threw in your cart, or a makeup product you want to try out because the model fits the toxic “beauty standards” we’re forced to believe are natural. All these things are trending, the top of the page, the product everybody has, and you end up purchasing it. But do you purchase it because you love it, or because everybody else does?
What happens when you take an interest in something nobody else finds intriguing? You’ve already surrounded yourself in this crowd of people who talk about the interests you’ve already displayed; what will be the chance they’ll share it with you, or more realistically, what will be the chance you ever share this interest with them?
We always live in fear. Of ourselves, of anyone really. If that fear and judgment will always be there, the only thing we can do for ourselves is overlook it. People will always scare you and judge you, but those people will become insignificant. In ten years, they won’t remember the time you wore a band t-shirt they didn’t like, or funky shoes you thought were cool that maybe they didn’t. If you don’t like something, you don’t have to pretend to like it to generate this feeling of acceptance.
It’s okay to show distaste for something popular, because “popular” will always be temporary. People will always dislike you, favor you, or support you. It’s you who decides if you care enough. Your own happiness over somebody else’s opinion. Liking what you truly like is what makes up the beauty in somebody’s soul. Have love for something because you really love it, not because of the influence others cast on you.
“Wanting to be someone else, is a waste of who you are.” – Kurt Cobain
