Never try to be someone you're not

If you had a choice between being reviled for who you are, or valued for who you're not, which one would you be?

Sadly, many people would go with the latter because they're under the misguided impression that we need others' approval in order to feel whole.

So they go so far as to take on others' beliefs even if they don't agree with them, and others' interests despite not being drawn to them in the slightest -- all to get in their good graces and feel accepted.

But here's the thing: If you feel you have to go to such lengths to cultivate a good relationship with someone, you're in the wrong company.

While there's nothing wrong with being flexible on some fronts (e.g., trying out new foods, exploring new activities), if you find yourself fundamentally trying to change the very essence of your character and personality to appease others, something is not right.

Never try to be someone you're not just to impress people who, at the end of the day, may not give a fig about you and may very well walk out of your life when least expected.

Always embrace your individuality, even if it costs you a relationship here and there.

Never turn your back on your bedrock principles and beliefs. Never allow others to dictate how you should think or act. Your skills, hobbies, attitudes, and quirks are uniquely yours -- they make you who you are -- so why try to change or relinquish them?

It's better to lose a few people than it is to lose yourself in order to keep them around.

If you try to be someone you're not, you risk losing the people in your life who value the real, genuine you.

Your self-worth is determined only by you. You don't need anyone else telling you how you should live your life. No one has stepped in your shoes, so they are in no position to judge.

The bottom line: If someone can't accept you for the individual you are -- idiosyncrasies and flaws included -- then they don't deserve to be in your life.

No one else in the world can be you, and that in itself should empower you to let the most genuine version of yourself come through.

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