We all know the phrase “Be an original, don’t die a copy,” right? Okay then…why are we not living by that?

I can tell you one reason why. We are too worried about what others will think of us if we do live our own lives individually and originally.

Why should it matter where we buy our clothes, what music we listen to, what we like to do for fun, whom our friends are, or a million other things?

It should not matter for any of those things, but it does, simply because of the society we live in. If we do not shop the brand name stores, listen to the Top 40 hits, spend our weekends partying and hanging with friends, our friends are not the most popular, and so on and so forth, we are judged by others around us.

What caused our society to become like this? When did it become so important to depend on materialistic items to make us happy? Why can we not simply be happy with who we were born as and who we are today?

Sure, there are handfuls of people out there who are not afraid to embrace who they are. Take Michael Sam, for example. Recently, he came to a realization about his sexuality and came out of the shadows of secrecy and shame. Sure, he may be taking a lot of wrath and hate for who he is, but why?

It is because he is different. He is taking a stand for what he believes in and feels is right for him, and is showing the world that he is different. Unfortunately for Sam being different is not easily accepted in this world. Being different is almost a crime to many people because it displays change, which often scares people.

I can remember growing up and being told that it was perfectly okay to be different, that different was a good thing. I did not grow up with the most prosperous family in the world; I had to work hard to earn what I wanted in life. My first car, the car I have now, college, gadgets, and clothes…I pay for it all. My parents are always there to help, but having me pay for my material wants growing up gave me the perspective that name brands are not what get you friends. Being yourself is what does that.

I never dressed up in cute clothes in high school. I could almost always be found in jeans, a t-shirt, and a hoodie. Why? Because I was perfectly comfortable with that ensemble, it made me…me. It made me different from the other girls in my class because I was not dressing like them. I never listened to the Top 40 hits; instead, I listened to whatever music that I was into at the time: soundtracks, classical, instrumental, show tunes, etc. I’ll admit…there were days I was a little self-conscious about what I was wearing or what I listened to, but high school does that to people, am I right?

College changed that for me. I stopped worrying about what others thought of my outfits, the music on my iPod, my interests and hobbies, how I spent my weekends or who my friends were. I simply started going on with my day with my head held high because I was proud of who I was.

It is disturbing to me to hear of people judging others by ways of materialism, societal status and even sexuality. Being different should be embraced not shunned and hated upon.

We were made to be ourselves, to be original. We should not be living and yearning to be copies of one another. Being the same as others is not near as much fun as being yourself.

So, just try it. For one day, try being different, being yourself. Wear a shirt you have been dying to wear but have not because of worry about what others will say. Walk to class listening to your iPod, dancing and singing to your favorite song even if it is not the top song on the radio. Tired of being dragged to every weekend party when you do not like to party? Put your foot down and say no. People will respect you more when you step away from the norm and be start being yourself.

It is never too late to start a New Year’s resolution. Start one now. Start a change in your life. Start being different. Start being yourself. Be an original, not a copy.