I have put together an abbreviated guide on how to stay true to yourself. What does it mean to stay true to yourself and why is it important? For me staying true to myself means never sacrificing the different components that I have decided make me, me. It means not sacrificing those awesome quirks in my personality or my personal style or my hobbies and interests for another human being. This doesn’t mean that I don’t or won’t pick up some more quirks or hobbies or style tips from others along the way nor does it mean that I won’t change certain aspects of myself along the way (usually this happens so that I can grow into a better human being!). Staying true is so, so, so important because it can really help create a happy life for yourself. I truly believe that (besides having faith in something, cause this is so important!) when you are being fully yourself and loving every minute of it, you are happy and in the best position to make awesome things happen for you! Just imagine a young lady, wanting to please everyone around her and therefore dresses as her friends dress and goes to school for the program her parent’s wanted and acts the way everyone expects her to. What do you think about it?

So, without further ado, here are 5 points I have put together that can kick-start your way to staying true to yourself:

1. Don’t try to be someone else, even if that person is really cool. I guarantee you that you are cool too. The world only needs one of each person so let them be who they are and shine your own light in your own way. When you don’t shine your own personality, the world is missing out in a big way. Seriously, we need you to be you and remember you are really cool!
   
2. Know your limits and challenge them. What are you afraid of? What won’t you eat? How many miles can you run (or do anything!)? What are these limits you have set for yourself? I am afraid of roller coasters. Max took me to Canada’s Wonderland one day last summer and I really didn’t want to go with him on the roller coasters. After all, I was scared. Roller coasters were beyond my limit of possible things I could do. Max wouldn’t accept this which was great because I went on a few roller coasters. The truth is I hated being on them! I cried after the first two! I still don’t like roller coasters but I felt great that I challenged a limit for myself. Now I know that even though I don’t like them, it is not so bad to keep Max company by going on one and nothing terrible is going to happen to me.
3. Know your boundaries and question whether or not they are reasonable. Setting boundaries is a great way to not let other people step all over you. A boundary is an imaginary line you draw between something acceptable and not acceptable in terms of the way other people treat you. Things deemed unacceptable do not necessarily have to be “bad” by society’s standards but just something that crosses your own personal line. I respect myself and others a lot and have a lot of boundaries. For example, I will stick up for myself if someone buds me in a line that I have been waiting in for quite some time. This is my own boundary and I realize that the same situation may not affect someone else at all. The reason I created this boundary was because I was at my doctor’s clinic one day lining up to put my name on the “walk-in” list. The wait time for this list is usually 2-4 hours and with every person in front of you in line you can expect to wait an extra 1/2 hour. Two women bud me in the line and I ended up waiting for 5 hours to see my doctor!! Not exaggerating! If I said something at that moment to stick up for myself, that would have never happened and I am sure they would have respected my wish for them to go behind me in the line. Other boundaries I have are people being prejudice around me or someone treating me with general disrespect. When I say “question whether or not the boundaries are reasonable” I mean that sometimes it is ok to just let things go. Is it worth your time to stick up for yourself in this instance if it will do you no good? For example, if someone is joking with you and you took it personally it is okay to just let it go. Not everything has to be a boundary!
4. Accept that you, nor anyone is perfect in itself but perfect with imperfections. Sometimes I get mad (sometimes more than sometimes!) and yell at people I love and say things I regret. Sometimes I don’t do something I promised I would do. Sometimes I forget important things. Now breathe with me, it is ooooooooookaaaayyyyy. Yes, it is okay! Totally and naturally great in its own way. Every time I yell and fight or fail to keep my word I think to myself, “I’m going to try to change this behavior of mine next time a situation like this rolls around.” And then I leave it at that and move on still loving who I am, not beating myself up which is cause for more problems.
5. Never settle for less. Bottom line, the most important point on the list. Who is your dream guy? Don’t settle for less. How do you want to be treated? Don’t settle for less. What kind of job do you want? Don’t settle for less. You may have to make choices that seem like less along the way but as long as you keep the big picture in focus, you cannot go wrong! You do not want to be sitting at home, at the age of 50 wishing you hadn’t settled for less than YOU DESERVE!!!

The end.