Be happy with who you really are. It will make things easier.

[Nikriel89]

I remember when I dressed how I was supposed to look-- normal jeans and bright colors. I always felt like that was not "truly" me, but I went with the program. That was back in high school, and when I still listened to what my mom wanted. Yes, I was a mommy's goodie-two-shoes, and tried to be a pleaser type.

(^ picture above is me before college)

As I approached my college era (20s and going on my own), I started to change my wardrobe into a darker style. Yes, I'm talking the "gothic" look. I couldn't hide the fact that I loved how it looked and how "sexy" I felt. I love wearing corsets, dresses, so on. I realized that I didn't need to dress a certain way to get approval from people. That everyone has opinions and judgments on everything that they see. I also realize that I get more compliments from my darker style than what I used to be like.

(^ me currently)

The Moral of my take is: Be happy with yourself, and don't let people try to make you something you are not. Everyone is going to have an opinion about things you do/wear/etc.

Ps. This is my first my take. 😎 Plus, I know opinions will start flying, but hey, it's part of life.

[Dave_the_Dude]

This is so true, and I wish I realized it earlier in my life.

I used to spend so much time crafting and perfecting this image that I thought would make people like me, but in the end I wasn't any more or less liked than when I acted natural, all it did was make sure I never truly connected with anyone on a personal level.

You're fuckin awesome, rock on.

[RationalLioness]

Love it and absolutely agree. Don't change who you are. Don't try to be anyone else. Just be you and love it.

And I think people will find that the less they worry about what other people think, the more "free" and happy they are. I did.

[inamorata]

Be yourself is a silly concept to me. You are what you are partly deciding, partly being programmed to be. "You" is not a static thing and choosing one thing (look, job, relationship, etc.) to define "you" is also silly. Maybe "the current you", but that's not "real you". If anything you wouldn't be truthful to the "real you" if you pretended this one thing is how you definitely are, or worse, ever will be.

[Dave_the_Dude]

I think you're mistaken... For a long time I used to pretend I didn't like things I really did, or did like things I really didn't. I would change my style from things I actually liked to things I thought would make others like me.

I get what you're saying "you" is constantly changing. It's still possible to pretend to be something you aren't.

She isn't saying "Pick one thing and be that forever" she's saying "Don't act like you're something you aren't to gain other people's approval".

[Unit1]

Be yourself. Superior unique! That's the spirit!

People trying to change me, me resisting, the battle for my identity. All I did was trying to be myself. And it's worth it. They should mind their own fkn business.

[thanxx]

You are right :)
This is Mevlana'saying "Either exist as you are, or be as you look."

[Maverickj]

The way you angled the second picture makes me thing you're just looking for attention.

[Not_Helping]

There is no greater delusion than thinking you've got yourself figured out.

[abundantlyrich]

The goths are still around. :)