"But Everyone Says..."

Today, I spent the day at the Christmas Festival in Boston - getting in the holiday spirit! This event is amazing- last year was my first year and my friends have now included me in their annual trip. It's rows and rows of booths - handmade crafts and food - all while listening to Christmas music over the speakers. It's a sight to behold.

While browsing one of the rows today, we stumbled upon a super cute sign making booth. One of the signs I saw hit me right between the eyes - and it's so true it almost hurts. 

"The greatest prison people live in, is the fear of what other people think."

That oughta make you think huh?

We are so focused on how other people will judge our appearance or thoughts that we operate like we're walking on egg shells. Here's the deal people - YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE HOW YOU WANT TO!!!!

If you want to wear a certain outfit or buy a pair of shoes or watch a certain show because it makes you feel good? Then grow the eff up and DO IT. If you want your hair a certain way, want to see a certain movie, go to see a certain concert, do it. See a car you love and want? Have at it. 

The reality of the situation is this - you're stifling yourself because of the opinion of others. 

Not everyone is going to love you or get along with you. This is called LIFE. 

I used to live my life based on how I could make everyone around me happy - how I could keep them happy and stay in their good graces. I ignored my passions and my likes so I could keep these people in my life. I lost who I was because I was more focused on keeping these people in my life. It was rather freeing when I picked myself up off the floor and stood my ground. 

Does my style need some work? Sure! I am coming out of a place where a pair of jeans, a hoodie and my Ugg boots were acceptable work attire in the winter. I need more dress clothes, some cuter shoes, and maybe a few make up tips. I need better bags and a more organized room, sure. But this doesn't happen overnight. This happens over time. 

I am glad I broke out of the prison I was living in - trying to keep up with what everyone else thought. I hope the same for you - do what you want, how you want and when. The only asterisk I would add to that is making sure those closest to you are not directly effected to your decision. This includes boyfriends, girlfriends, wives, husbands, family, and or roommates. Keep your communication wide open to those closest to you - so they understand what's going on and can support you 100000%! 

Stop living YOUR life for everyone else because they have an opinion. Start living YOUR life for you, what makes you happy, and what lights your fire.