“It’s ok to be different.”

That’s a phrase I am sure we all hear a lot in life. I remember hearing it countless times from my mother as I grew up. Some day’s I’ll be feeling down for whatever reason, and she’ll still tell me that.

We all have different personality types. We all have different likes and dislikes. That is what makes the world so beautiful. Life would be so dull and boring if we were all the same like robots or cookies from a cookie cutter. Sometimes, though, we tend to beat ourselves up if we ourselves feel like we aren’t fitting into the norm.

It’s ok to be different, what’s not ok is making someone feel bad because they are different.

This post isn’t meant to be about bullying or anything, it’s mainly about differences in personality quirks. There are times in our lives where sometimes we feel like someone or a group of people think poorly of us because we might do things a little differently. I am here to tell you that that is not ok.

There have been many times in my life where so called “friends” have made fun of me for various things. They made me feel bad for the music I listened to, the movies and tv shows I liked, my hobbies, and how I dress. Back when that would happen I would shrug it off and just decide not to talk about those things around that person, or try and dress the way that person does when I am around them. Looking back, that wasn’t ok. Why did that person or those people feel like it was acceptable to make me feel crappy about my own likes and dislikes? It was wrong and is wrong for a person to do that.

So what if you have a friend who doesn’t like chocolate. That’s ok.

So what if you have a friend that dresses more modestly and feminine. That’s ok.

So what if you have a friend that prefers Fleet Foxes to Fall out Boy. That’s ok.

So what if you have a friend who has a sewing hobby. That’s ok.

So what if you have a friend that likes to be in bed by 9. That’s ok.

Don’t make someone feel bad about what they are passionate about. Don’t make someone feel bad because they might be softer than you. Don’t make someone feel bad if they are more cautious than you. Most importantly, Don’t make someone feel bad about things they cannot control.

So I am here to tell you my dear reader, if someone or something has ever made you feel bad about what you like or are comfortable with, it was not ok. So if you like to wear skirts and dresses over skinny jeans and leggings, wear your skirts and dresses. If you like to be in bed by 9, start putting on your PJs at 8:30. If you like things that are more “old fashioned” LIKE THEM! It’s ok to be different.