Stay True To Yourself! 3 Simple Ways To Let Your Inner Self Shine

It can be hard sometimes to relax and be yourself around other people.  When your friends are all acting in a certain way, wearing the same clothes, and doing the same things, it’s natural and okay to want to be part of the group.  But if you feel anxious or unsure around your friends, it may be time to step back and ask yourself why you feel that way.  Do you feel that you should fit a certain “type” to be accepted by the group?  Do you find yourself judging every little thing you say and do around them?  If the answer is yes, you may be bottling up your true self in order to feel accepted. 

Whether your friends and classmates know it or not, they are all different from each other and have distinct talents, thoughts, personalities and quirks.  While it’s great to hang out with friends who have the same interests as you, it’s also important to feel like you can be yourself with them.  Good friends should accept you for what makes you different and unique.  Check out these easy ways to help let the world see the real, irreplaceable you:

1. Make “You” A Priority

This doesn’t mean that you should be selfish and uncaring toward others’ needs.  Practicing self-care can help you become a better friend and a better person because you can only show compassion toward others if you’re compassionate with yourself first.  So, realize that you are important.  Love yourself.  Focus on interests that make you happy and healthy.  Treat your body well.  Taking care of yourself physically and emotionally will increase your confidence.  Once you’re in that more confident mindset, what others think of you doesn’t seem as important.

2. Remember That You’re More Than Your Body

Social media would have you thinking that everyone on there must have been born perfect, work out every day and never have experienced a zit.  Social media is a made-up world where most people only expose their best, filtered, air-brushed selves.  Did you know that over 68% of people admit to retouching their photos before posting them?  You’re so much more than your height, weight, the shape of your nose or the width of your arms, and real friends will know that.  Don’t get sucked into believing the messages the media sends you about your body.

3. Focus On What Makes You Different

It can be scary to put yourself out there, especially because we’re all our own worst critics.  But the freedom that comes with not caring what others think will make you a happier person.  When you get dressed in the morning, don’t pick your outfit based on what you think your friends will like.  Wear that outfit you love.  Listen to the music that you love.  People will notice your confidence.  People who like the same things as you may gravitate toward you. 

Focus on wiping away that negative voice in your head that constantly puts you down, and don’t be unnecessarily hard on yourself.  Remember that everyone has weaknesses.  Don’t focus on yours; Be positive.  Focus on your strengths.  There will always be people who won’t hesitate to tell you what they don’t like about you.  Everyone has opinions.  Even celebrities have haters.  It helps to remember that critics may be coming from a place of hurt, fear, or insecurity.  If we based our happiness on whether we’re pleasing everyone else, we would all waste our lives being miserable.  Let go of that trap and focus on the positive things about yourself. 

It can be hard not to compare yourself to your friends.  We all have that friend who seems to be perfect, but believe it or not, that friend has his or her own weaknesses and insecurities.  Perfection doesn’t exist.  Embrace your imperfections; They are part of who you are.  Spend time with people who accept you no matter what you say or do; The ones who encourage you and who are happy when you succeed at something.  Don’t waste your precious time and energy on those who make you feel bad about yourself.

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What do you think of this article?  Have you had an experience where you let your inner self shine through, no matter what others thought?  Let’s hear about it!