I've Never Felt Comfortable In My Own Skin Until Now | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

I've Never Felt Comfortable In My Own Skin Until Now

Have you ever felt like an outsider or the outlier in a community you're a part of?

45
I've Never Felt Comfortable In My Own Skin Until Now
Photo by Benny Jackson on Unsplash

Have you ever felt like an outsider or the outlier in a community you're a part of? Have you felt as if you acting as yourself in the most authentic way possible felt wrong because of your skin? It sucks, and you don't know how to deal with it at first. You change your mannerisms a bit in order to fit the mold of what's expected of you due to your skin. You want to be a part of a community as much as the next person; You want to feel like you belong, and somehow you just don't even with the effort you put in.

These are feelings I have when it comes to the community I've never really felt like I belonged in which is the black community. I know, it's weird having this sort of attitude directed at the community, but it is in my own opinion as to why I don't feel belonged in the community and why I don't feel as connected with the community as I should really be.

Growing up I've dealt with the ideas of how I should act due to me being black, that the way I talk makes me sound white, that I should only be dating girls that are black, you know the usual. It has affected me in a way where I felt really disconnected from the community, or at least what it means to be a part of it.

Being me in my own experience was what made me feel uncomfortable in my own skin literally, it made me feel out of place. I don't know if this is a relatable thought or not, but it's something that's been in my head for a long time, and it one of the main reasons why I wasn't confident within myself. It caused me to feel as if the community wouldn't accept me for who I am and gave me the unfortunate idea that they wouldn't really like anyone like me.

Over time I started to not really let those sort of things bother me anymore, but they are still in my head from time to time, and I don't give them power over me and the life that I choose to live. I learned a very important lesson from my mom and it has stuck with me ever since. In broad terms, I don't have to satisfy anyone except myself and God. It is something that I've stuck by for a while and will continue sticking by for a very long time because it taught me that the only person I should only ever satisfy is myself, and if it's right with God up there or whoever is up there, then I don't need to worry about who I should be when it comes to others.

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

13 Ways To Become More Festive

How to make the holidays more merry and bright!

350
winter
Pinterest

Why hello there December! It seems like we just had a holiday season, but here we are a year later starting a new one with our stomachs full and hearts overflowing with thankfulness. If you're anything like me and didn't realize just how close the holiday season was approaching, we need to perk our spirits up for the most wonderful time of the year! Fortunately you have someone on the nice list like myself who can help you out with tips and tricks to become more bright eyed and bushy tailed about this holiday season.

Keep Reading...Show less
dumbbell
Twist Photography

Going to the gym and working out on a daily basis (with breaks once in awhile) has been a great way for me to feel good about myself. It is 100% more than just looking good. Especially after starting college and having the stress and anxiety of tests, assignments, and just figuring out my future, the gym at my school has definitely been a place of relief for me and I have numerous reasons of why everyone should push themselves to get to the gym when they can.

Keep Reading...Show less
shameless
Tube Filter

Sometimes you need a break. A break from school, studying, work, anything that life throws at you. We are all guilty of binge watching a show that we just cannot get enough of. I know that I've gotten so fixated on a show that there have been entire days that I have day-dreamed about getting home and watching a particular show. Next time you find yourself having an urge to binge watch a series be sure, to check out the following.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

5 GIFs That All College Students Can Relate To

Trust me: If you're a college student, you would want to read this...

431
college calculator
Flickr Creative Commons

Oh college, lovely, lovely college. A four-year time span that is filled with many highs and many lows. Between procrastinating on an essay that is due at midnight to getting your first library card (if you know what I mean), college is a time that you should not take for granted, yet it is also a time where you feel like your entire world is falling apart. It is a time where one day you can feel like you are on top of the world and then the next day you are 500 feet below the ground surface.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

12 Festive Ways To Decompress After Finals

When you need to get rid of your leftover stress but also be in the Christmas spirit.

302
dog
Pexels

So you're finally finished with your semester and you really need to decompress from it, but you're also feeling the time crunch because Christmas is like ten days away and you haven't even gotten to do anything fun and festive yet. No worries! Fortunately, there are several festive things you can do to help put the stress far behind you. You can also make some of your usual favorite things to do Christmasy. Basically, you're winning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments