You live in a society that dictates your life down to the smallest details – how to dress, behave, how plan your life, even who you’re meant to be. Embracing individual style and choices in defiance of perfection and sameness What is Unapologetically Me? Love takes off the masks we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within.”– James Baldwin

For me, understanding and living into who I truly am is a process of growth, one that I will always be on. But it started with some key thoughts and it’s been a process that requires courage. Because I’m not the person I was nor the person I once aspired to be. Accepting that requires me to own the decision and consciously choose to be a new version of myself. As an added bonus, being alone means that you can do whatever you like without judgy eyes on you or any kind of demands. There’s no need to say “no” or feel a push to apologize when there’s nobody else around. Solitude = immense freedom, so be sure to take a lot of time for yourself, whenever possible. Always be a first-rate version of yourself and not a second-rate version of someone else.”– Judy Garland

Women have always been the strong ones of the world. The men are always seeking from women a little pillow to put their heads down on. They are always longing for the mother who held them as infants.”– Coco Chanel Honor yourself so much so that you say no more often to things that don’t light you up. Saying yes when you really want to say no is being dishonest and it sets you up for failure because you'll end up living a life of not being seen and known for who you truly are. We want to go above and beyond for the people we care about - but then we become frustrated and resentful. The first step in living authentically is always the most difficult because of the programmed hesitation involved. Try to see that as the upward pull of a rollercoaster. Once you start moving past the highest point, you gather momentum and just keep going. 3. Lean into where it hurts to learn what needs adjusting. By learning how to become unapologetically yourself, you practice self-love and self-compassion. You accept yourself the way you are and recognize that you have a mind of your own, and therefore, it is okay to stand up for your beliefs and express your opinions. Final Thoughts For example, if someone offers you some kind of food and you decline politely, they might try to encourage you to have some. “Just a bite,” or “Are you sure you won’t try some?” and if you’re sure, then “Why not?”

If you aren’t being unapologetically you, living the life that you want, maybe now is the time to ask yourself why not. Then, once you have your answer, consider changing the course to one of greater authenticity and adventure. It’s easy to fall into the trap of forgetting who you are and changing yourself to fit in, thus, I’ve put together these 88 amazing inspirational unapologetic quotes that talk about the importance of being your true, authentic, and unapologetic self.Suggested books: Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids, Root Magic, Meet Yasmin!, Sadiq and the Explorers, Ana & Andrew, Planet Omar: Unexpected Super Spy, Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices, Any Day with You, A Place at the Table, Orca Origins) Still don’t feel ready to be unapologetically yourself? Talking to someone can really help you to handle whatever life throws at you. It’s a great way to get your thoughts and your worries out of your head so you can work through them. Be unapologetically yourself and seize the opportunity to do the things you love and those that make you happy, and thus live your life to the fullest, starting today.

I wish Fatima’s weight didn’t drop even lower just before her and Jaren saw each other in person for the first time. You will be a happier person when you are no longer a people pleaser or always seeking their validation. It could even be small things like the fact that you like binge-watching because you know the other person thinks it is a waste of time. Some of the things that you should stop apologizing for, include; your emotions, appearance, opinions, asking questions, or your uniqueness. Women, like men, should try to do the impossible, and when they fail, their failure should be a challenge to others.”– Amelia Earhart

What does it mean to be unapologetically YOU?

Are you prepared to do these things? Because by being unapologetically you, you are going to hurt and disappoint other people. That’s not a possibility; it’s an inevitability. WHAT IS UP WITH FATIMA? Man, could someone be so, 😡😡😡 so than anything. Could she have dropped dead already?

One key aspect of being unapologetically yourself is living your personal truth. This means adhering to your own mind, leanings, and loves rather than letting other people influence you. Perhaps this tendency to conform is caused by the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), or it could simply be because humans are social creatures, and we usually want to be liked by others and feel like we belong somewhere. Don’t let others box you into their idea of what they think you should be. A confined identity is a miserable way to exist. Be you and live free. Trust that in living true to yourself, you will attract people that support and love you, just as you are.”– Jaeda DeWaltIt might be helpful to remember that few people are thinking of you at all. When you go grocery shopping or out to grab a coffee, do you analyze everyone around you and make up stories about their lives? Or do you just go buy your eggs or latte and get on with your life? Do you want to be covered in tattoos? Dye your hair rainbow colors? Dress like you stepped out of Assassin’s Creed or Skyrim? Be a monk or a nun? Change your religion/name/gender? You might also like: Super Human Abilities - Hannah Mermaid on Being Human, Being Mermaid, Fantasy, and Activism where she talks about the importance of breathing. Society, in particular, has expectations of you and what you should aspire to be; and if you try to fit into the mold, you can easily lose your individuality in the process. You will try to think, feel, dress, act, or do things similar to what everyone else is doing – scared of what others will think if you did them differently.