To Be Me

Let’s discover what it means to be you. Is it the clothes you wear? Is it doing a hobby or skill that you’re good at? Maybe you feel most yourself when you’re hanging out with friends or family. Exploring those things that bring out your confidence and make you proud to be you are the very things that will give you strength so you’re ready to face whatever life has in store for you.

Here’s some steps you can take to find what it means to be you!

Where do you feel most comfortable being you? A safe space can be anywhere – home, school, work, a friend’s house, a club or team, or a trusted faith space. This is a space where you feel supported and accepted.

You might not be able to be in this space all the time but carrying that affirmation with you even when you’re not there can remind you that you are loved and deserving of that love. If you don’t have a space like this right now, know that those spaces DO exist, and you WILL find them in the future. No matter what, give yourself a space, even if others are not there yet.

Who are those people you feel comfortable being yourself around? Having positive people – those who lift you up, who care about your well-being, who are there for you when you need them – can help you live a healthy and fulfilling life. These positive people can be friends, family, mentors, or anyone you can trust.

It’s important to recognize that some people can negatively influence your well-being. These are usually people who you can’t be authentic with, who might put you or others down, who can be jealous or unaccepting toward you, who you can’t be honest with. Be sure to surround yourself with people who accept you as you are.

Building a positive and supportive community full of people who embrace you for who you are can take a while, but it’s worth the wait.

You don’t need to have it all figured out. Labels and definitions can be helpful, and it’s important to educate yourself and learn about the diverse range of possibilities for your life. Exploring those possibilities in your own life takes time. You aren’t always going to get it right. But finding yourself is also about patience and allowing for new experiences. It’s normal to get frustrated or lost on this journey, but being open-minded and trusting in yourself along the way is key to creating a healthy and fulfilling life.

You matter. Your life matters. Sometimes it might feel like because of who you are that this isn’t true. But there is a global community of people who love you and are here to help. If you need extra support, reach out today!

If you’re dealing with a lot, and feeling symptoms of anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts, don’t keep it bottled up. If you don’t have someone you can talk to, there are a bunch of resources for support that you can reach out to today.