As a society we are so afraid of what others will think of us.  Granted, I know there are a few people out there who really could care less of what others think of them.  They are who they are and they are proud of it.  As for the rest of us, we may struggle a little in that area.  It’s not exactly that we are not proud of ourselves; we just get caught up in what society thinks.  There is nothing wrong with that, but imagine living life without caring about what others think.  There is something freeing about the thought of that.

So much of our time is spent worrying about what others may think.  So much so that it shapes our lives.  Sometimes we change things about ourselves just so we will “fit in” with the crowd.  But what if we stand out from the crowd?  Is that a bad thing?  Is it scary?  What holds you back from being yourself?  Think about it.  Write down some ideas.  Then think about what is the worse case scenario.  Sometimes when we put things into perspective it lessens the scariness.  

I want to challenge you, be YOU!  The next time you are trying to think of the right outfit to wear or the right thing to say, just be you.  I guarantee it is a lot easier being you than it is being someone else or being a person someone else wants you to be.  It takes a lot of energy being someone that you are not.  I’m sure you worrying about what others think because of something that has happened in the past.  Maybe you were made fun of or you found out people were judging you behind your back.  The list can be endless.  And if that happened to you, I am truly sorry.  Sometimes people can be so mean.  

I am going to challenge you again, find someone you can be yourself around.  Whether it is a family member, friend, neighbor, or a cashier at the grocery store.  Be your authentic self.  After you do that ask yourself, “How did that feel?” If that one experience didn’t go well, I’m sorry, but try again.  Keep trying until it feels great.  Then once you feel how great it feels to be yourself, you will never what to stop doing it.  

Just be you.  Here at New Hope, our mental health counselors welcome YOU.  We want the real you to come and sit down with us.  We want to get to know the real you and help you with whatever it may be that you need help with.