Being Different In High School Is Okay | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Being Different In High School Is Okay

Don't be afraid to be yourself.

766
Being Different In High School Is Okay
Roxy Saravia

When I think of high school, a big piece of me cringes. The first two years weren't too bad but the last two years I just wanted to get out of there. The same routine became exhausting but what was even more exhausting was trying to fit in with the crowd.

Don't let your fears get in the way.

When I was in high school I stopped making videos because I was so concerned about what everyone else thought. By doing this, I prohibited myself from just being the real me. I am a creative person so I would join musicals and take voice lessons but I always felt like a piece of me was missing. I remember getting a pair of new shoes and wanting to wear them to school but I was too afraid. They were so different from what everyone else wore. "What was I afraid of?" you're probably wondering. I was afraid of the people in my school whispering or tweeting or just being nasty. Teens can be cruel and that is the honest truth.

Being different is never a bad thing.

There is one person that comes to my mind when I think of the word “different” and that is the Green Lady of Brooklyn. She is the woman known for wearing the color green from head to toe. She has been interviewed by The New York Times and isn't afraid to stand out. I admire people like her because they embrace their uniqueness. If there was one thing I could tell myself in high school it would be to not be afraid to be myself. I remember being in high school and if there was a trend going around everyone had to get it in order to gain acceptance from their peers. If you didn't fit in, you were the outcast and I wish I knew that it's totally okay to be the outcast.

Quality over quantity.

You want to find friends who value your friendship and who look past the way you look on the outside. Luckily, I found two great friends in high school who loved me for me. Those are the kind of people you want to surround yourself and whether than be one or five people, it's all about quality over quantity. I am still friends with those two and we still talk on a daily basis.

It gets better.

I can honestly say that college has been one of the best experiences of my life. I think I know myself better than I ever have and I'm not afraid to be me. Looking back at high school and now, I feel like my life has changed for the better. I remember everyday I went to high school, I would tell myself, "It's going to end soon. This won't last forever." That was the best advice I could ever tell myself because it does end and it's only uphill from there. I've discovered that I love putting on a nice outfit every morning (I wore sweats to high school every day). I also discovered that I love making videos and writing, I love finding unique clothes, I love thrifting, I love styling pieces together, I love making new friends and most importantly... I love myself. Something I probably couldn't say in high school.

A moment I realized that things changed for the better was when I bought bright red shoes this year and couldn't wait to wear them to school. The old me cared too much about what everyone else thought. Although, this was such a small moment it meant so much to me because this moment made me realize that I don't care. I now value myself and I'm not afraid to stand out. As Maya Angelou once said, "If you're always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be." This is by far my favorite quote of all time.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

185422
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

11665
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

455550
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

25155
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments