Fit in versus Belong

I am sharing this message today because it touches on a theme close to my heart: fitting in and belonging.

You want to fit in to avoid rejection and to be accepted. You want to be part of the pack because it looks easier than standing alone. But to fit in, you have to change yourself to match someone else’s rules, expectations, or values. You’ll have to hide parts of yourself, adjust and conform, and say things you don’t fully believe to blend in. Sure, it can bring a momentary sense of belonging, but deep down, it often leaves you feeling out of place because the acceptance isn’t based on the real you. Fitting in often asks you to shrink or change yourself. It might look better from the outside, but what you are sacrificing is yourself, and this can lead to exhaustion, self-doubt, feeling “not enough”, and even anxiety.

So ask yourself, “Is it worth it?”.