Have you ever felt like you stuck out like a sore thumb? All you wanted to do was fit in with those around you ?
Ever since we were little we were forced on the need to “fit in “ with those around us . You had to dress like them , act like them , be as smart as them , be as athletic . No matter how hard you would try and fit in with those around you it always seemed like you were missing something or it wasn’t enough . You want to please everyone but that’s not possible , never will be, someone always has something to say.
“If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be “ – Maya Angelou.
Think about the people you surround yourself with , you spend your time with them because they have different attributes and characteristics you like about them. However if they tried to fit in and be like the world around them they wouldn’t stand out to you like they do now. And if you personally started to change yourself and act like someone you weren’t to fit in with the crowd you wouldn’t be met by the right people who love and appreciate you for you instead they love the person you try to be . We get along with the people we get along with because they have similar likes and dislikes to us, not because we are the exact same .
“Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself “ – Coco Chanel.
If everyone looked and acted the exact same it would be so boring and no one would be special or stand out. You were made how you’re supposed to be for a reason , and if you always try and fit in with everyone else you’ll never know why that reason is. Let me give an example , some people are extroverted and outgoing however when around certain people they feel the need to change their personality because they don’t want to be found annoying or for people to think that they are “doing too much “ . You should never dim your light to make people like you because the right people will never make you question yourself.
“ Belonging is being accepted for you. Fitting in is being accepted for being like everyone else. “ – Brene Brown
People often get the meaning or belonging and fitting in mixed up or they think that they are the same thing . However fitting in is altering yourself to be accepted by those around you while belonging is a secure feeling of being accepted for who you truly are without needing to change. When you are “fitting in” with a group of people they expect you to fit in with the environment and not stand out , While on the other hand belonging is trusting that your environment will naturally come to fit you . The want to fit in is something we crave , the feeling of belonging is something we cherish .