Do You: The Importance of Being Yourself

Being Yourself

It seems often when you scroll online, you see a quote, a picture or a wall frame that says “be yourself”, “be you”, or “do you”. You might have heard of the popular phrase “do you boo”, because you know no one does you like you. These are all cute inspirational phrases and thoughts, but do we believe it? Has it become such ordinary advice that it passes us by? Do you know what being yourself is? That may be bad English but you get the point. 

Being yourself means that you celebrate your uniqueness. It means that you do not want to be cookie cutter. When you “do you” it means that you do not try to downplay or shy away from who you really are. It means that you rock your own fashion style. It means you are not afraid to look crazy dancing to your favorite song or you are not too embarrassed if you snort by laughing at something hilarious. Being yourself means that you shine from the inside out because you ooze poise and confidence. When you “do you”, you carry yourself with dignity and respect because you know you are valuable. Becoming at ease with being yourself is like learning to create beautiful art, because as with any new artist learning their skill, the beginning stages can be messy and the process shaky.

The Importance of Being Yourself

The process and sometimes messiness of learning to be yourself starts within. Too often we insult ourselves and put ourselves down when we are not where we want to be. We judge the painting before it is finished. What is even worse is that we compare our painting to someone else’s painting. But comparing will only make us feel worse and less comfortable with who we are.   

It even means that you acknowledge the things that you want to grow and improve on as an individual. You may not be where you want to be at this moment, but each day you can brush new strokes on your “painting”. 

Right now you may be in opposition with yourself.  You do not even recognize who you are anymore. You might have been hurt so deep. Your heart may have grown cold towards life. Maybe you stopped “being yourself” back in middle school when all you wanted to do was fit in. Or worse, you have constantly let people shape you and tell you how you should do things and who you should be. Somewhere along the way you stopped embracing who you are because you felt like you were not special enough. Let me tell you this. It would be paradoxical to think that God, who created the entire universe in all its vast and splendor, would be so mundane when it came to creating us. None of us were created with an elementary design.You were created with beauty, purpose, gifts, and talents that you may not even know you have yet. Those gifts and talents only you can rock. There is no human that is an exact replicate of you. Even your very fingers prints are different than anyone else. You are not ordinary. You are extraordinary. How unique and amazing you are!

Being yourself is a skill that takes some time to develop especially in a society that encourages you to be anyone but yourself. Do not talk yourself out of being all that you are. Pick up the paint brush and begin working on you. Your masterpiece is needed. It has a spot in the exhibit of life called history. You can make your gallery meaningful just by doing you!  

“To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.”

– e.e. cummings

Being Yourself

Take care,



FOLLOW NAOMI ON SOCIAL MEDIA



            


27 thoughts on “Do You: The Importance of Being Yourself

  1. Wow! This is a amazing encouraging word. I wish I heard this years ago- it would have avoided so many pitfalls!
    Definitely sage advice worth striving toward!

  2. Society has a way of making us feel as if we must be of a certain kind. It is un-natural and invalid. We are created to be different but serve one God. I love this girl. It is a positive reminder of what amazing masterpieces God has created us to be.

  3. Naomi, this was a great post. What most struck a chord in my being was when you likened being “at ease with doing you” with “learning to create beautiful art”. You normalized the messiness and shakiness of this process. Gosh, this is so true – and that’s definitely where I’m at right now with learning to express myself through blogging and social media. Not to mention, this is also where I’m at as a friend, a sister, a wife. The process is a bit scary because it is so vulnerable. But there is no one like you or like me and God created us for a purpose. Ok I’ll stop rambling! Blessings, girl!

    1. Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this made my day. I am there too girl. It is hard for us women because we do fill so many roles. It’s easy to get lost in the mix but that is where our relationship with the Lord comes in. He makes us brave just like that beautiful song by Bethel. It is in His presence that we find out that who we are is equal to who Jesus wants us to be. His opinion matters the most 🙂

  4. I’m so glad that you posted this encouraging message. It not only speaks words to a lot of individuals out there, but helps us to take a look at how we all can just take a step back and ask ourselves are we really being true to who God intended us to be.

    Angela

  5. Yes girl yass!!!!! Do you boo boo do you, cus Ima do me- got that from Kevin hart special hehe !! I love this so inspirational. I recently had an incident that made me question me actually doing me. I got made fun of from people I thought where my close friends for starting my blog and connecting with others. Made me feel really down on myself but this post just made my day! Doing me is exactly what is important. I love this girl ???

    1. Hahaha. Thank you. That’s not good. You would think you would have the most support from them but sometimes it doesn’t work out that way. Just forgive and let it go. You get to connect with so many people through blogging though so it can be rewarding 🙂

  6. What an encouraging post! Thank you Naomi for sharing. I especially like these words:

    “Becoming at ease with “doing you” is a process but the outcome is remarkable when you are living it. Do not talk yourself out of doing you.”

    It is such a process to be at ease with “doing you” when you have struggled with insecurities. But as you said, God has created each of us so uniquely. It becomes very important to embrace our gifts, talents, fashion style, and looks.

    1. Thank you. It’s always encouraging for me when people can take little quotes from it that they can hold onto. That’s what it is all about 🙂

  7. In a world full of sameness, especially amongst women driven to compete against one another, it’s important to remember God broke the mold when He made each of us. And each one of us has a specific purpose and calling in life. That’s what makes our God incredible. He didn’t create mindless drones, but a diverse people equiped to carry out His divine will in a unique, purposeful way.

  8. What a thoughtful and provocative piece, Naomi. I agree wholeheartedly with every word. Whilst it really is easier said than done, we must all dance to the beat of our own drums. No one has the right to make us do otherwise unless we allow them to. No one can give us permission to be powerful, we empower ourselves 🙂 I”m still very much a work-in-progress but yes, I’m doing my best to paint the life I deserve. Thank you, Naomi, for this xoxo

    1. It is not easy for sure especially in our society but it is a journey we must all take finding ourselves and believing in ourselves. Thank you for your comment 🙂

  9. Written with wisdom beyond your tender years, proof your message was needed, needed at this time and needed to be spoken by you! Thank you, thank you, thank you.

  10. “Pick up the paint brush and begin working on you.”
    I couldn’t agree more. Thank you for your beautiful post Naomi and thank you for linking up to Open Mic Monday at Cisneros Cafe. Hope to see you next week.

Comments are closed.