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What It's Like Being A Small Fish In A Very Big Pond

Why it's better to be yourself

DeLacy Louise Rowland

Nov 08, 2016

Wofford College

What It's Like Being A Small Fish In A Very Big Pond

DeLacy Louise Rowland

(eek my first odyssey article)

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

This goes out to every girl who feels like they have to impress everyone to be someone. I know how you feel because I feel that way too. I feel like I have to walk around wearing the most expensive clothes and doing my makeup until I reach perfection. I feel like I have to have the hottest friends around me at all times. The perfect boyfriend, or guys following me everywhere I go. I walk around making myself feel like something I am not. I feel artificial. I have felt this way for a very long time and now as I am a freshman in college I have come to a bold conclusion...

I don't have to, and neither do you.

Here is why...

Each of us is beautiful on our own.

You were made this way for a reason, to be different, and we all are. We don't have to be the most beautiful girls on the planet. We are beautiful without conforming to society's norms. Clothes do not make you beautiful, makeup does not make you beautiful, your friends do not make you beautiful, boys will NEVER make you beautiful (except dads because they rock), the only thing that makes you beautiful is you and your individuality.

Internal beauty is what matters the most.

Be captivating. Be magnetic. Be hilarious. Be sad. Be quiet. Be loud. Be Broken (hey it's okay). Be truthful. Be whatever body type you wanna be (love my size 6 jeans and DD bra). Be outrageous. Be Bold. Be dramatic (you go Taylor Swift). Be silly. Be a food junkie. Be raw. Be delicate. Be strong. Be stubborn (hell we all are). Be vivacious. Be inspiring. Be embarrassed (like that time you tripped outside and hoped no one saw but knew everyone did). Be brave. Be vulnerable. Be daring. Be grateful. Be faithful. Be free. Be controversial. Be wild. Be loving. Be everything and anything you want to be, but be more than just external beauty.

Don't be afraid.

YOU DO YOU. YGG. YES BOO YES. WERK.

I've walked around my college campus in boxers, a tie-dye grateful dead t-shirt, and uggs (it was only 65 degrees) but boy did I feel like a million bucks. I have also walked around with half my body spray painted. I NEVER wear makeup to class anymore, and I have found that not only does it clear up my skin, NO ONE CARES. Eat pizza rolls and easy mac for every meal!!! Wear your norts and oversized t-shirt, or your dress and heels!! Be comfortable being whatever kinda person you wanna be! You rock, don't let society tell you any different.

So to the girls who have felt like they need to be something they're not, stop. Stop conforming. Find the girl you want to be, not what you feel molded to be. Be who YOU have always dreamt of being. Be paradisiacal so don't forget to resemble your own paradise. Being the small fish and being yourself is far better than losing yourself in the pond. Wherever you go from here on out you will be loved for you, and it will be the best feeling.

Sincerely,

Just another girl.

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

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What It's Like Being A Small Fish In A Very Big Pond

Why it's better to be yourself

Each of us is beautiful on our own.

Internal beauty is what matters the most.

Don't be afraid.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

#Adulting is hard.

1. Taking care of yourself when you're sick

2. Making a to-do list

3. Planning your activities around the weather

4. Scheduling your own doctor’s appointments

5. Getting your own toilet paper

6. Making food without needing to ask your mom questions

7. Holding your tongue

8. Saving your paycheck (or your tax refund) to pay your bills

9. Balancing your checkbook

10. Going places alone

11. Packing your own lunches

12. Actually eating your vegetables...on purpose

13. Taking a multivitamin

14. Planning a life after graduation

Sometimes bigger isn't always better.

1. If something happens, everyone knows about it

2. Never getting to be invisible

3. Knowing every single thing about every single person in the town

4. New kids are a big deal

5. It’s hard to make new friends

6. On that note ... the dating pool is even smaller!

7. Teachers are weirdly close to their students

8. It forced you to make friends out of school

"I'm hopeless and awkward and desperate for love"

1. That Time He Tested Out His Flirting Skills and This Happened

2. When He Was Willing to Do Anything to Avoid Confrontation

3. When He Couldn't Handle Awkward, Emotional Situations

4. How He Reacted Whenever His Friends Ignored Him

5. All of the Times He Worried About His Failing Love Life

6. Whenever He Tried to Whip Himself Into Shape

7. How He Handled New People and New Experiences

8. Whenever His Friends Got Annoying, He Was Always the Voice of Reason

9. He Always Knew How to Jam

10. He Finds a Way to Make Any Situation More Fun

No, I can't help you.

1. When a customer wants to return a product, hands you the receipt, where is printed "ALL SALES ARE FINAL" in all caps.

2. Just because you might be having a bad day, and you're in a crappy mood, doesn't make it okay for you to yell at me or be rude to me. I'm a person with feelings, just like you.

3. People refusing to be put on hold when a customer is standing right in front of you. Oh, how I wish I could just hang up on you!

4. Having the same conversations over and over again! To be honest I really don't even want to talk to you right now, or have this fake ass smile on my face!

5. Always having to have a smile on your face. I promise I'm not as happy as I may look!

6. Customers not understanding that sometimes, mistakes happen. I am a human being, we all mess up sometimes!

7. Having the boss from hell, it's their way or the highway! Even though I did my job correctly and efficiently, if I don't do it the exact way you do, I'm a piece of shit.

8. Having coworker who don't help out, who bend the rules just enough to screw you over.

9. Having to be at work after closing because a customer is taking forever and half! Not like I'd like to go home or anything!

10. Having shitty hours and more shifts than you asked for. Just because we don't have enough workers, doesn't mean I want to pick up every shift that you cant cover, oh great boss of mine!

11. Not having time for a social life. It gets old saying, "I can't I have work..." Every day of the week!

12. Having that lazy costumer who can't do anything for themselves... no please I'll get that, it's no problem at all!

It's just my face, I swear.

1. When you meet new people, they automatically assume you hate them or are rude.

2. People are constantly asking you if you're OK.

3. After being friends with someone for a while, they confess to you, "I thought you were so mean when I first met you," or, "I thought you hated me."

4. You get told to smile more, but they don't understand how scary that would be.

5. You're always labeled as seeming "judgy."

6. Passing a friend with your RBF in full force and not realizing you just shot them a death glare.

7. Being sarcastic, but everyone thinks you're outright rude.

8. Not knowing how mean you really look until you see a picture of yourself in resting face.

9. Your apologies never sound sincere because of your emotionless face.

10. Your "mad face" scares you.

11. And, lastly, people are constantly asking you if you are happy or having a good time because you look bored to death.

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