September 26, 2025 Being Yourself and Making Friends: Why Both Matter
“Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.” - Oscar Wilde
Listen to, or read this meditation:
Have you ever felt like you need to act different around certain people? Like you have to pretend to be someone else to fit in? Well, here's some good news: the best thing you can do is just be yourself!
Being yourself isn't being mean or selfish. It's about knowing what you like, what you believe in, and what makes you happy. When you know these things about yourself, making real friends becomes so much easier.
Think about your favorite people. Are they trying to copy someone else? Probably not! The people we love most are the ones who are just themselves – maybe they're funny, kind, or really good at listening. They're not fake or trying too hard.
Here's something cool: when you're comfortable being yourself, you actually become a better friend. You're not worried about saying the "right" thing all the time. Instead, you can focus on caring about others and having real conversations.
Good friendships happen when two people who like themselves decide to be friends. It's not about changing who you are for someone else. It's about finding people who like the real you and being brave enough to show them who you really are.
Sometimes it feels scary to be yourself. What if people don't like you? But here's the truth: if someone doesn't like the real you, they probably wouldn't be a good friend anyway. The right people will love you just as you are.
You don't have to be perfect. Nobody is! You just have to be honest about who you are – your interests, your feelings, and your ideas. When you do this, something amazing happens. You start attracting people who actually get you and want to be around you.
Being yourself and making good friends isn't about choosing one or the other. They work together like peanut butter and jelly. When you're comfortable in your own skin, friendships feel natural and fun instead of stressful and fake.
Remember, you're the only "you" in the whole world. That makes you pretty special! Don't waste time trying to be like someone else when being yourself is so much better.
**Your Next Step: The Weekly Check-In**
Every Sunday, ask yourself:
1. "When did I feel most like myself this week?"
2. "How can I be more myself with one friend this week?"
Write down your answers. Being yourself gets easier with practice!
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