The world is vast, with a lot of diversity. We all differ from each other in various aspects, and the differences make us all unique in one way or another. These differences should be embraced for a more vibrant and bright life, but, unfortunately, people nowadays tend to copy each other’s customs and change themselves to stand out and seem bold, eventually leading them to lose their personality and character.

It is essential to understand that everyone has a particular significance in society. We are characters playing our roles and fulfilling our responsibilities individually. We all have a different story and we have to act accordingly for our story to keep proceeding further. Giving up your personality to adopt someone else’s can simply result in the extinction of your individuality.

I do not mean that you cannot be insecure about yourself. Feeling insecure is perfectly fine and normal for any human being. At times, we may feel discontent about who we are, but it is crucial to not let this self-doubt take over and embed in you forever.

If you ever feel like you are not enough, tell yourself otherwise. Remind yourself that you are the best version of yourself that no one else can ever be. Be confident about your ways. Believe in your external and internal traits and features, instead of giving them up to be like someone else. Always remember that your specific traits and tastes make you beautiful from both inside and out, and they need to be accepted wholeheartedly.

Self-acceptance is the initial step to being accepted by others too. Accept not only your strengths, but your flaws and weaknesses as well. Identify both the good and bad in yourself. Get rid of your weaknesses, but do not alter yourself completely in doing so.

You may feel like someone is better than you, but can they be ‘you’? No, because you are one of a kind. You are the main character of your life and story.

You do not have to change and even if society does not acknowledge your personality, you should be the one acknowledging it candidly. Remember, nobody will play your role after you. Abandoning your character for someone’s seemingly ‘better’ one is losing yourself forever.

Published in Dawn, Young World, February 3rd, 2024