The more I watch TV, listen to the radio and watch videos, the more I realize that there are so many people not being who that really are. A lot of people are doing things to get views, likes, shares and mentions. It's not who they are, it's who they that think you are going to pay attention to. This is disappointing because we will never get to know the real you and what are truly like. I hear some people say that that is just a character that they made up and they can "turn that off" anytime. Most can't. The main reason that they love the attention it brings to them. Also, if they become "internet famous" then they always have to be in character because they never know when someone that follows them may see them. The thing that they are mostly scared of, is that they will be seen "out of character" and the people seeing them won't like the real them. They put too much value on what other people think of them. Too much influential power given to strangers. (check out my blog "Your Opinion...Who Cares")
Now, I'm not going to sit here and act like social media is the only place that this behavior happens. Let's be honest all my working people. How many people have a work persona and an off work persona? (My hand is raised). For this, the degree of the difference sometimes depends on the type of job, the environment, or the person themselves. Most people start off being open and trying to mingle the two worlds but at some point realize that there should be a separation between the two. For some, it is quick break and the two worlds remain separate. For others, it is a gradual process because they are trying but then find that sharing your life and real personality doesn't work in the work place. So we develop a work persona and we fit in. The think with that is that it doesn't just affect our personality but it also affects our way of dress and speak. Instead of dressing with our unique and non offensive style we begin to dress like everyone else. We don't always realize it but we do. Why do we do it? We want to fit in. We hide who we are in order to be accepted.
If you fit into either of the above categories, or one similar to it, STOP IT!!! Be who you are. The really like that there is a movement for people to be themselves. We are all individuals and we are that way on purpose. The Bible talks about not conforming to this world but being transformed by the renewing of your mind. You can take the renewing of your mind as you understanding that you are perfect just the way you are. Understanding that no one's opinion of you matters other than yourselves. Change your thinking that says, if I don't do it their way, look like them, act like them, talk like them, and pretty much be them, I won't make it. False!! I am reminded of an episode of Living Single where Kyle Barker was told by a co-worker that he wasn't going to get to any higher position if he didn't cut he Locs and not wear so much Afrocentric clothing. Kyle was offended and still refused. He was so passionate that he address it to the heads of the firm and they didn't care about his hair. The co-worker, who was also Black, had his own insecurities because he conformed to what he thought the firm and industry wanted to get to where he was. Kyle was willing to take that risk of standing on his own and getting to his position based on his work not attire. (Link to the speech. I do not own the rights to this video) I say all of that to say, be comfortable in the skin you are in, in the personality you have, in your fashion sense (non-offensive, if you have to ask about it, don't wear it) and in the uniqueness that is you. We need you, not a knock off version of someone else.
If you are busy trying to be someone else, who is going to be you?
Check out my previous blog "True to Yourself"