Bulletin Board Post

Everyone Says I Should Change My Personality

Feelings

Everyone Says I Should Change My Personality

<div class="ExternalClassEA66BF4752944437BCC0AEDB12E6DA1A">I don't know what to do. I want to be myself (which is kinda emo but mostly goth/ random). Everyone says to change my personality so I can be more like them (popular). I 'm not a teen yet but I couldn't find any other site to help me. I like certain fandoms and they make me happy, but people say that normal people don't like that stuff. What do I do, I just want to figure this out without having to tell my parents. </div>

<div class="ExternalClass48C8ED2BDA9942758B416159E71DA887"><div><div class="ExternalClassEA66BF4752944437BCC0AEDB12E6DA1A">It sounds like you are really struggling to find a way to express your feelings and stay true to yourself. This can be difficult, especially at 12, when so many things in your life are changing. Just think of all the changes that you will go through and the things that you will accomplish in the next 6 years. Wow! It is a big task but also an exciting time. Finding your identity and relating to others are two major parts of growing up. The people that have been giving you advice might be thinking that things will be easier for you if you conform to the majority. This is true, when you don't stand out, things can be easier socially. Sometimes being yourself involves taking the time to explain your views and why you think/do what you do to others. If it bothers you to have to constantly provide this explanation to others; taking a different path might not be for you. However, if explaining your choices and sharing the things that you are interested in is something that you find exciting; having a different personality might be for you. Here are some points to think about: Is the personality that I am emulating positive or negative? Does the personality help me to support a cause that I am passionate about? Does my personality harm anyone (including yourself)? When looking back in my yearbook, is this how I would like people to remember me? We have an article that might help you to think things through: <a href="/Pages/tip-your-identity.aspx">http://www.yourlifeyourvoice.org/v2/Pages/tip-your-identity.aspx</a> We want the best for you. Only you know what this is. We suspect as you think things through you will do a great job in deciding which parts of your persona are important to you and why. Let us know if you would like to talk to us about this further. Sara, Counselor </div></div> </div>

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