#embraceyourdifferences

Good morning, everyone! I hope you’re all doing well and feeling fine. I’ve got another little story for you today—some parts are older than others, but I’ve dusted it off, given it a fresh read, and made a few tweaks. It’s now on my to-do list for deeper edits, but I couldn’t wait to share it. Sit back for storytime… Not all dwarfs are created equal; take Old Jeb, for instance. Jebediah…

In a world that demands conformity, showing up as your true self is a radical act.

Every day I navigate spaces that weren't designed for me. I am loud in my quiet. I am firm in my soft. I refuse to shrink.

If I could talk to my younger self - this would be the first thing I would say.

And if I knew this when I was younger I feel like I would have been a lot happier in myself a lot earlier in my life.

I would not have had to go through all the years of doubting myself and trying to change myself to suit others.

We as a society are so afraid to be ourselves - to be who we truly are - to be different from what we are told is the ‘norm’.

But who decides what the ‘norm’ is?

Who gets to say what is or isn’t cool?

Personally, I believe there is not such thing.

Being cool is subjective - everyone has a different idea of what makes someone or something cool or popular.

And I think this should be celebrated not ridiculed.

I am so tired of people judging others because of the things they like.

Society wants to put everyone into a specific box.

If you like this certain thing you can’t possibly like this other thing.

It is so irritating that even though we are now in 2016 that this is still a daily occurrence.

Why do we care so much about being ‘cool’.

I used to put so much pressure on myself to act like I liked things that were popular - or did things that seemed to be cool.

And I finally realised one day that I was living a lie.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with liking what I like.

So what if I love watching trashy reality shows,

so what if I love staying home and reading a book instead of going out to drink.

So what if I love cute little girlie things like Hello Kitty - and still love cheesy 90’s music.

Yes i’m 26 and I still love people from childhood - people like Hilary Duff - I grew up with her - and still to this day idolise her. And I should not feel ashamed about this.

Why do I have to justify anything I like to anyone?

I know for a fact that there are plenty of people just like me - but because we have be made to feel like we have to keep that side of us quite - those people aren't so out in the open.

I’m quite and always have been.

Yet most people take that as being arrogant or uptight.

People are too quick to judge people on face value still to this day - and most people still don't take the time to get to know anyone before they make their snap judgement.

And this is just sad.

It’s pathetic.

I am more than happy with who I am - and I would never judge someone who didn't look like me or act like me - I would admire it. I would embrace it.

Everyone is different for a reason.

No matter how you dress - the things you like - or your lifestyle - we are all equal and all deserve respect and love and we should all be treated the same.

Embrace your differences.

Love your differences.

Be happy with who you are and don’t listen to the judgement of others - their opinion is irrelevant to you and should not have any relevance on your happiness.

Stay Strong.

Stay different.