10 Reasons I Will Always Be Myself And IDGAF What Anyone Thinks

By Gigi Engle

In a world full of basics, I pride myself on raw authenticity. I don't want to be normal. I just want to be ME.

I sing at the top of my lungs in the shower. I make jokes that some people might deem inappropriate. I'm awkward. And I wear crazy outfits.

Life is good.

Many people spend their days afraid of what everyone else thinks of them. They work at jobs they hate, they stand in the shadows and they dilute their beautiful, unique personalities just so they won't rock the proverbial boat.

But what a boring way to live! No one ever made a difference by avoiding being different. It's the weirdoes who really run the world.

Here's why I will always be myself and DGAF what anyone thinks.

Because going against the grain is what creates leaders.

No one who made it to the top did so by following the herd. It's those who stood up for their beliefs — however unpopular or avant-garde — who were heard. People with IDEAS are the ones who change things.

I'm not trying to be some vanilla, no-name person. I'm striving to make a difference. I am hoping to be remembered. I don't have time to play games. I only have time to be real AF.

Because being who I am is more fun.

I'm the best me there ever was! I'm not going to alter my sparkling personality for the sake of the status quo. No way!

Being myself is FUN! It's exciting. It makes me HAPPY. Being someone else is a waste of time and energy. That's time and energy I could otherwise spend winning at life.

Because if you do what's conventional, you can never be unconventional.

If you do what is expected of you, you can never surprise anyone. I'd wind up being black and white in a world where I can give so much color.

If you “dress to impress,” but end up looking like a carbon copy of everyone else, then you'll never stand out from the crowd. If you always follow the rules, you'll never be able to write your own.

And I want to write the rulebook.

Because caring what anyone thinks about you is so overrated.

Caring about the opinions of others is so 2015. So. Last. Year. Done. Authenticity is where it's at.

I don't feel guilty for not fitting inside some nonexistent box that society has apparently laid out for me. I don't apologize for being rambunctious, audacious or boisterous.

You shouldn't care what anyone thinks because that is what gives YOU the power.

Because it's the only way to be successful.

It's impossible to be successful when you're hiding behind some made-up persona. If you're pretending to be someone you think you “should” be, then how could you ever focus on what's important?

I'm not willing to compromise my dreams just to fit in. The most successful people are the ones who say, “SCREW IT!” and do what it takes to succeed.

Because I'm not fooling anyone by trying to be something else.

Here's the thing: No one would even BUY it if I pretended to be anything other than ME.

People can sniff out BS like bloodhounds. If you get a reputation for being disingenuous, you won't win the respect of your peers. Don't try to hide who you are because no one wants to chill with a phony.

Because I want REAL friends.

I don't want to hang out with anyone who enjoys hanging out with a fake version of me. That's really the litmus test for identifying who your real friends are: Even when you are unapologetically yourself, they're the ones who will stick around.

I don't have time for fair-weather friends. I need ride-or-die people who will stick it out until the end.

Because it's too exhausting to be anyone else.

Another thing, another truth, another piece of WISDOM: Being someone else is EXHUASTING. (Not to mention BORING.)

Everyone has tried to be “less.” Everyone has tried to “tone it down.” And you know what? It doesn't work. It doesn't make life easier to be more agreeable or more normal (whatever that means).

It sucks. It's tiring. I hate it. I won't do it. Bye.

Because I'll never make everyone like me.

Many of us shield who we really are because we're terrified of being disliked or labeled. We mask our quirks to avoid conflict.

Yet no matter how great you might be at hiding, there will still be people who don't like you. How about that?

So why would I ever bother pretending to be someone other than me?

Because no one else can be me.

I am 100 percent me, and no one can do it better! I will always be myself because I am a shining star.

If anyone else tried to be me, that person would just fail miserably. As if someone would ever be as funny, authentic or interesting. I'll stick to always being myself.

And you know what? IDGAF what anyone thinks.

What better way to contemplate what makes you awesome than while in the shower? No matter who you are, embrace what makes you unique and talented. Check out how AXE Shower Thoughts explores creative and original ideas that occur in the shower and helps guys celebrate the “thing” that makes them an individual here:

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