Individuality by MaLayni

Individuality by MaLayni - April 2021 Scholarship Essay

Self love is something I practice every day, and is something other people should practice too. Being a person in our society is hard because of judgment and standards. It is easy to follow other people and pretend to be them, but it's hard to be yourself. As a young 13 year old I was obsessed with how other people viewed me, my brain was still at an important part in its development and all I knew how to do was copy other people to prevent shrewdness. If I could teach my younger self anything, it would be to learn who I am.
Learning about yourself helps you find things you like and things that make you happy. If you pretend to be someone you aren’t, then you will never know your true self. I never wore the name brand clothes the other girls did, and I didn’t have a phone so I was immediately viewed differently and didn’t have a lot of friends. I ate lunch alone in the bathroom and would spend a lot of time at the local library or parks, and I learned I really enjoy nature. I learned how to be happy with the things I have and how to be happy alone.
Being independent and individual helps create a loving relationship with yourself. Then, once you love yourself you can work on loving others and our planet. I learned it’s okay to not fit into society's standards, it’s okay to wear affordable clothes you like and it’s okay to do things you like. I remember a few kids asked if they could go scout for animals with me at the creek one day, and I was so excited I got them all notebooks and snacks, but when the time came they never showed up. I learned I was judged a lot for being independent, but that’s who I am and I am proud. I would tell my younger self, good job.