Emma's Enlightenments: Stay unapologetically you

This Week’s Advice: Stay Unapologetically You. 

I, like so many others, care so much about what others think about me. Every night before bed, I wonder if I did good enough during the day I had. I wince at the mistakes I made and beat myself up over what I could have done better. 

Embarrassment and shame are my worst fears, ever. Even in class, I am hesitant to drink my coffee a certain way or check the time another. 

This isn’t healthy, but it’s not abnormal. We, as people, care how we are perceived. Most decisions we make are the direct cause of the eyes watching us. We have been wired this way.  

As a kid, we are shown in movies and shows a stereotypical “weird kid” or “popular kid,” and it is jammed into our head which is “good” and which is “bad.” 

Isn’t it time we move past this? 

As we get older, we start to realize that we don’t need to be who people think we should be. We, instead, grow into ourselves. 

Everyone is different, and everyone grows at their own pace, but, in the end, the most important thing is to be comfortable with yourself. A lot of times, I have melted myself down to fit into the mold of what, I thought, people wanted me to fit in. 

This is an unhealthy way to go about things. After you have melted yourself down so much, there comes a time when you don’t even know yourself anymore. 

You are more important than the thoughts of those around you. People will think about you regardless. Whether you are quiet or loud, soft spoken or blunt, people will find something to pick apart. Instead of playing in to this, just be you. 

Of course, be kind, but don’t let yourself fall into the mold of other people’s thoughts.  

Being comfortable and loving yourself is more important than the spotlight of being liked by everyone. Because, honestly, it’s impossible. There are so many different people we interact with;not everyone is going to have the same opinion. 

As long as you know you’re loved, and love yourself, everything is okay. 

Take this with you as we enter a new week, and as we take on the weeks ahead. You can’t please everyone, and everyone can’t please you. Don’t expect the impossible but lead with an open mind. 

You know your heart. You know you. You don’t need to prove your worth to anyone. If you feel the need to prove it, they don’t deserve an explanation in the first place. Carry yourself with love.