Re:A picture of me
by vlunkr on Saturday June 25, 2022 @05:54PM
(#31879036)
This took me too long to learn. We're told over and over to "be yourself," but sometimes you have to make an effort to be like everyone else. I see in the author and in myself sometimes a weird sense of pride in having unusual opinions and tastes. This isn't going to win you any friends or impress anyone. If you're just waiting for someone to show up that shares all your thoughts, then you're going to continue to be alone.
[ Parent
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As I like to think of it, “being yourself” and “becoming a friendlier more approachable version of yourself” are not incompatible.
Most people trying to make sense of the instruction don't know themselves well enough to be that authentic self, particularly those perceived as unpleasant. They almost always turn out to be aping somebody they knew, read about, or saw in a movie, and never questioned whether there was a better way for themself.
The best ways to your authentic self are to make things and help other people. The worse off they are, the bigger the difference you can make.