The Ridiculous Importance of Self-Expression

  
          

          Hey there.
  So I did some thinking, hard-core. I saw this Viagra commercial(weird beginning, just keep reading), and basically it said, unintentionally and obliviously, this old dude was having a mid-life crisis. I thought about how that poor, fictional, brainless guy had bailed on his originality as a youth, and forgot to think, much less live a successfully when he was young. Yeah, I get it’s weird that I’m saying some people’s teenage years are successful, but come on. You don’t see old, happy, accomplished seniors talk about their calm, strict youth, right? I’ve always pondered the quote, “You can’t be old and wise without being young and crazy.”. True, but not necessarily crazy all the time. I digress. I want to say this: When you’re young, originality is all you have. I see girls in Hollister shirts, booty shorts, Sperry’s, and NorthFace jackets. Don’t get me wrong, that’s all fine and dandy, but how will they be remembered?
   I have this friend, Laci. She’s dyed her hair a thousand times, she dresses like she’s having an identity crisis, and she doesn’t have an “inside” voice. Yeah, people talk about her like crazy. She is only able to trust a few people in her circle. But a decade from now, will you remember any of those girls who were obsessed with Justin Bieber and whose laugh was more of a squeal? No. You’ll remember the girl who never walked with the sheep. You’ll remember the girl who raised eyebrows instead of turning heads. You’ll remember Laci.
   There’s nothing wrong with these nameless girls. They’re just incapable of letting their colors show.
  I’ll return to Mr. Viagra Actor. Was he a sheep when he was young? Probably definitely(mmm contradicting words). Now, his identity crisis is simply a reflection of his past. His faceless past.
    Look, all I’m saying is that when you’re young, be yourself. It maybe cliché, but let me give you a synonym: be original. You don’t have to be like them to be beautiful, I’ve learned that the hard way(hoorah for another cliché!). I’ve never been confident as myself: I was labeled from a young age as a “nerd”. I’m out of that, it’s been years since the beginning. But labels are hard to peel off. I can’t be a Hollister girl, but even if I could, my dislike for mainstream pop and revealing clothes overpower any potential beauty. My friends know who I am, I am know who I am. It’s taken me years and tears to just realize that it is what it is: I am who I am.
      I dress in a graphic tee, jeans, TOMS, and the occasional hipster Nikes. I dress my mood, I dress my personality. I don’t dress in “sheep” clothing, unless I’m being a wolf. Misplaced humor? That’s who I am. I’m not one of those, “if you don’t like me, I don’t care” people. I make an effort with people, but I only go so far. Because everyone deserves a chance. Everyone. That means you sheep aren’t better than the flamingos.
   I’m able to go so deep in this that I leave my point behind, but let’s let it catch up. I’ve stated it already, multiple times, but here’s my last time: You’re beautiful. I don’t care who you are. You have a chance. You’re young. You make mistakes. You’re you. And as Dr. Seuss said, “There’s no one youer than you.” 

    Express yourself, and have a rad time doing it.

    xoxo,
       Zoe