The Courage to Be Unpopular

We live in a world where everything is rated. Our photos get likes, our thoughts get retweets, and our lives get 'vibe checks' from strangers. This constant feedback loop has turned us into people-pleasers. We start editing our personalities to fit what we think will be popular. We stop saying what we actually think and start saying what we think will get the most engagement. It is a slow death of the soul.

True freedom is the ability to not care if you are liked by everyone. When you are constantly plugged in, that is almost impossible to do. The algorithm is designed to reward conformity and punish anything that doesn't fit the 'meta.' To find your true voice, you have to disconnect from the feedback loop. You have to spend time in the 'real world' where people aren't constantly hitting a heart button on everything you do.

When you get offline, you realize that the opinions of strangers on the internet don't actually matter. They don't know your heart, they don't know your struggle, and they aren't there when you need a hand. The only opinions that should carry weight are the ones from people who actually know you and care about you. Everyone else is just noise. Disconnecting helps you filter out that noise.

Have the courage to have an opinion that isn't trending. Have the courage to wear something that isn't 'in' right now. Have the courage to be 'uncool' if it means being authentic. You will find that when you stop trying to be popular, you start being respected. People are drawn to those who are comfortable in their own skin and who don't need a screen to tell them they are enough.

Build your self-worth on your own terms. Set goals that matter to you, even if they aren't 'postable.' Live a life that is deep, messy, and real. You don't need a thousand likes to be valuable. You were born valuable. Stop looking for it in an app and start finding it in your character. Be yourself, unapologetically.