Remember a time when I used to slap things on my body to try on different identities. Floral prints, massive floral earrings, colourful dresses, smaller dresses, colour on my face…
Today, I just slap on myself. Whatever is slapped on me doesn’t really bother me. Except, when people keep thinking that it bothers me. That, bothers me. If you know what I mean. I am glad that I live among people who told me to “be brave and be you”. There is never a right or wrong, unless harm is done mentally or physically (Oh, and it took some time to meet people who tell me they enjoy my presence as who I am).
People’s voices, potential voices, so many times can make “me” feel being “myself” is wrong. Sometimes, to make “others” feel a little less anxious for “me” being “me”, I slap something of “them” on “me”, as a form of respect and love for “them”. Maybe “they” don’t know it, and maybe “I” don’t notice that, “they” too slap on a little part of “me” to respect and show “their” love for “me”.
Being yourself is not an easy thing to do albeit sounding like the most sensible thing to do. Being yourself means to be the best version of yourself, little by little, year by year, month by month, day by day, moment by moment. Being yourself means you’re fully aware of your environment, and your relationship with it. Because who are you without your environment?
Self and no others are just a false sense of security in identity. Self with others (organic or inorganic) when merged is the ultimate sense of self.
So when being you, never underestimate how hard that desire is to achieve. And never take for granted how far you have come. And don’t stop until the last breath you draw from your environment. Be you. Authentically you, take one brave and compassionate step at a time.
You’re enough, your identity is to be discovered. Not to be altered.
