True story. I remember being maybe 11 years old and realizing I didn't fit in. After sobbing for a while, I thought to myself, "Do you want to fit in? Or do you want to be yourself?" I knew to NOT fit in would bring more pain, and isolation... But I'm so glad I chose to be myself (mostly -- I did mask a bit, as exhausting as it was). I paid the price, but became a staunch defender of my friends -- who were #ND, or #NonWhite, or #LGBTQ, or different in other ways. I don't regret my decision...
Edited 18d ago