Hunter Week 3

Embracing Authenticity 

        

   Cheesy phrases such as "Be yourself, because everyone else is taken,” seem to be popping up in my mind recently. Such thoughts are probably due to our commencement speech analysis. Nevertheless, I would like to offer my personal experiences and challenges that follow my efforts to lead a unique path. 

        

   To begin, I grew up quite ordinary; curious, ambitious, loud, adventurous, etc. What set me apart, at least from everyone in my elementary school, was my vibrant, strawberry-blonde hair. I did not think much of my hair color, considering I knew about 30 people and was seven-years-old at the time. I vividly remember kids harshly picking on me during recess with phrases such as “you have no soul” and “gingers are gross.” I never thought that something so insignificant would lead me to feel such hatred for myself. These instances were just the beginning of my struggle to obtain individuality.
       

    As the years went on, more aspects of myself that were not quite lining up with my peers seemed to emerge. Negative relationships with the randomly plotted freckles upon my cheeks, the sound of the vowels in my name, and porcelain skin tone arose to consume me. Feelings such as those became detrimental to my self-concept. After incorporating a plant-based diet to better fit my morals and improve the wellbeing of the planet our society does so well to neglect, I noticed more comments come to light. Something as simple as not eating a food group brought out of the blue torment, despite having no interactions with people providing such remarks. The strength behind my desire to fit in was incredible.
       

    My friend group at the time did just the same as those making fun of me. I knew they intended remarks as jokes, but after the 300th comment on my characteristics, are they? I would carry immense amounts of guilt, embarrassment, and the belief that I was inferior to everyone around me just because my values were different.
        

    That mindset continued for years until I completely broke down in front of my truest friend; Kurt. He began to explain that my purpose is not to be a carbon copy of the girl sitting next to me. Kurt explains the differences in every fingerprint (just as Quindlen does) to emphasize how nobody in this hemisphere could fulfill my dreams and future accomplishments. He repeatedly mentions that those who follow trends and stay within lines placed before them have not yet uncovered their reason to stray away.

       

    Since then, I have begun to look much deeper into myself. Now, I can recognize and wholeheartedly admire the beauty of others without sacrificing my own. Why did I give people in this no-name Pennsylvanian town such power; If I am honest, I have no idea. Let them talk about you and send your reposts in their group chat because you will probably not recognize their name in ten years.

        

    Though I have not fully overcome many of those insecurities, I have grown to celebrate the distance between my interests and others. I hope you can embrace every curl upon your head, every mannerism, every freckle, every thought, and every inch of the skin within your beautifully crafted self. As I start to put down "The backpack full of bricks," which in my instance, represents my insecurities and will to conform, I cannot help but smile. The unfriendly kids at recess were unknowingly leading me to grow, and for that, I am forever grateful. I cannot wait for the day those people can see the beauty within themselves without needing to tear others down to do so. Everyone is trying to navigate through our insane reality, so please encourage, support, and most of all, do not judge the steps that one might take to blossom.

 

A photo of various types of flowers from my grandma's house blooming
in harmony despite their different characteristics! :)