Authenticity wins. When you’re truly yourself, you win in life.

People might not understand you at first—and that’s okay. Eventually, they will. They’ll realize, “that’s just how you get down.” They’ll see you’re not a threat, not harmful—just real. And in time, you’ll be loved for living in your truth.

I experienced this firsthand in high school. At first, I was judged for my style. People didn’t get it, and some even tried to change me. But I refused to shrink or switch up who I was. I stayed true to myself.

And something powerful happened.

Over time, the same things people questioned became the very things they admired. I went from being misunderstood to being celebrated. My authenticity earned me a nickname—and even landed me in the senior yearbook.

That kind of boldness? It inspires people.

Even in the movie Selena, we see this play out. Selena’s father initially disapproved of Chris, seeing him as a threat and judging him by how he looked. But Chris didn’t change who he was to win approval—he stayed authentic. And eventually, he was accepted and loved for who he truly was.

Moral of the story: don’t water yourself down to be accepted. The right people won’t just accept you—they’ll love you for being exactly who you are.