Photography by King Rose.
Shop my look: Downeast bomber jacket (similar here), c/o Shein full black bodysuit, c/o Blue Nile diamond and sapphire ring, mini gold backpack (similar here), and Nike athletic shoes.
Dare To Be Different: 3 Reasons Why
Happy Monday! When I was a sophomore in college, I remember feeling deeply disappointed for not being my true authentic self. Our English teacher asked us to select a music genre that would best describe ourselves and personality. We were to share it with everyone with an explanation of why the next time we would meet. For some reason, this homework assignment created anxiety in me. I feared the opinions of others. I went to a private church-owned university and most times I felt like a black sheep.
I loved attending BYU for my bachelor’s degree and consider myself blessed to have earned a full ride scholarship in leadership + academics. My four years there has shaped me into the incredible woman I am today. It’s also a conservative school and many people seemed to look and act the same. This was my perception of it as a young woman — if you were different you stood out. At the time, I thought that being different was bad. This mindset can be crippling.
It Is All In Your Head
I was so nervous about my song selection. What I wanted to pick was this fun and upbeat jam titled “Angel” written by the Jamaican musician Shaggy. Have you heard of it? However, my insecurity of feeling judged for my atypical song choice among led me to a different decision…a classical piece from the American composer Aaron Copland called “Hoedown.” Don’t get me wrong this classical song is amazing! You know I am a true cowgirl at heart being raised in Utah! But, it didn’t represent who I was at the time. It didn’t make my heart sing! I made a song choice that an American Idol judge would call “safe.”
Be Bold Be You
After squirming in my set during class, feeling silly and embarrassed for not embracing the “Angel” song I truly wanted to share, I vowed to be courageous in being different! You know what I realized? Nobody really cares. Well, I think I came to that conclusion years later. It took me a while to fully accept and celebrate me — just the way I am. Now, that I am a mother, I am insistent and persistent that my 3 angels be exactly who they are. To not fear the judgment and opinions of others. To be who God designed them to be! My babes are perfect and I think all mothers feel this way about their children.
Put It In Action
It is important for my three kids (and myself, I still need the reminders) to know and thoroughly understand how critical it is to step out and shine! But, I want to make sure that you get it too! Here are my 3 reasons why it is key to your self-worth to be you.
Dare to be different – 3 Reasons Why
- Focus on being different, not better. Don’t dismiss your unique qualities and idiosyncrasies by competing with others. Instead, focus on what makes you different and capitalize on that. The world is more beautiful because of your special features, traits, and gifts.
- Don’t fear judgment. Most of my life, I chose to do things because of distress of how other’s would perceive me. I have learned two things about this. One, people don’t care and are often more concerned about themselves. And second, if they do, they are not the kind of friends or family members you want in your life. Live your life freely and creatively!
- Be confident. For some, being self-assured comes naturally. For others, it is a practice. I was one of those who needed a lot of practice feeling confident. When I accepted myself (the good and the bad) and acted in ways that were in harmony with my life values, goals, and interests, it gave me the confidence to shine. Practice truly makes perfect for building confidence.
Step Up and Shine
Remember to always shine! When you follow your true calling and love yourself as you are — you feel inspired, happy, and peaceful. Honoring your unique gifts and characteristics also inspires those around you to do the same! That is so beautiful, right? There is a rippling effect to this. Dare to be different.
Thank you so much for stopping by and reading my post today. Please, drop a comment and let me know what you think. Also, if you have any suggestions on topics you would like me to cover, feel free to contact me and let me know. Love you guys! See you Wednesday!
P.S. Enjoy the music video from one of my favorite songs “Angel” from Shaggy! Turn it up and dance!
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I love “Angel” by Shaggy!!!!
It is the best right!?! Brings up so many great memories! LOL! Thank you so much for reading and leaving a comment — means more than you will ever know! xo
I love that this is a lesson that needs to continuously be shared and that you have done it. I learned some of these lessons the hard way by self-examination, realization and honesty myself. But due to a lot of bullying and older siblings, a lot of them are lessons I learned really young. It’s refreshing to know that somebody good is teaching their kids some great lessons and hopefully your kids will help their friends and achieving the same goals and lessons.
We all need to remember this. Too many people try to follow the trend in fashion or lingo or whatever. I like being myself, no matter how “cool” or “uncool” I may be. LOL
Being different is something I have had to deal with my entire life. As a young girl, I thought different was bad but now, I embrace it!
I love celebrating our differences!! We should do this more. What beautiful pictures!
I think it’s great to be bold and try to stand out. Why be boring and look like everyone else?
That body suit is a great statement and you wear it so well. Confidence is important in all you do and is a common theme in all your reasons to be different.
Love that outfit on you it looks great. I agree, dare to be you!
stepping out of comfort zones is difficult, but you really make it motivating to try. btw that body suit looks great on you! love the jacket too- think I might need one for myself <3
You wear that suit well! I know I sure could not pull it off!!
It’s so important to be true to yourself, even if it means standing out from the crowd. Only you can bring your own talents, style, and personality to the world.
I don’t know how to be anyone but me… which I think is a good thing! 🙂 I like my weird quirks and embrace them!
I think you can pull that off so nicely. I would have trouble since I use the restroom A LOT.
I agree 100%. I wish it didn’t take me 40 years to be OK to be ME. I hope my daughters understand this YOUNG!
Oh my gosh, I haven’t hear a Shaggy song in so long! I loved that song, too! Being confident didn’t always come easily for me, but I’ve worked on it through the years and feel like I am better about it now.
NEver worn a body suit but they look so comfortable!!
Show the real you are is great thing for me than to pretend things to impress others. Lovely photos your so beautiful 🙂
Absolutely love this. I’ve always been self conscious but recently found my confidence! I’ve never tried a body suit before but I just started to wear sleeveless rompers, I always thought I didn’t have the body for it. <3
Super cute outfit! I love finding clothes that I feel good in. It’s so important and really does boost your confidence.
Okay that jumpsuit looks soooo comfy! I love how you said focus on being different, not better! So true!
This is something I struggled with as a kid, but now as an adult I embrace. I hope my daughter can follow suit.
I agree, you have to be true to yourself. As long as you are comfortable in your own skin you will be confident. To be different is ok as long as it is you. I like the look of a body suit, like the sporty look.
Daring to be different comes easier for some of us than others, and for some of us at certain ages of our lives more than others. Glad you’ve got it figured out! 🙂
I LOVE the focus on being different instead of better. We always want to level up or improve ourselves without taking the time to honor what make us unique which is how we truly stand out. We also have to be confident and not be worried what other people think. We just gotta do us!
I love the outfit and your makeup girlie! You look fabulous!
What a cute idea for an outfit. I love the one piece jumpsuit…although I don’t think I could actually wear it!
You look Ah-MA-ZING!!!
I totally share your thoughts on the importance of being different. Unlike you I didn’t seem to matter others noticing I was different in my school, and now, 20 years later I don’t have any friends from my old class. I was isolated and I didn’t care, because I had already the two best friend s in the world outside school. Support. Love from people who loved me how I was exactly. So I wasn’t interested in trying to be like the others to gain their friendship. I guess I was very lucky 🙂
I think I commented on a similar post, but it is essential for each of us to be just who we are, regardless of anyone’s opinion of us. I know I saw a graphic that said something about be yourself, you can’t be anyone else. Your bodysuit looks great on you – looks really comfy! At my age (60), and not having your figure, I don’t think I could get away with wearing this unless I wore a long top over it. Then it would be more like leggings! 😉
This is something that I learned the hard way. It’s good to be different and we should learn to embrace it. Being different is what makes us, us. It spikes up your confidence, that’s for sure!