You.

Maybe this is a little more for myself, but I want to discuss being yourself.  Not being lazy, mean, rude, boastful, or amazing at everything.  Im talking about who you are as a person and what you stand for.  Not for what you want people to think you stand for, but who you really are.  Raw.  You.

I often get very lost in movies and shows, and the characters that are in them.  I sometimes daydream that I am somehow in the show/movie with them.  Don't we all put ourselves in the story somehow?  But have you ever went further and got to know (well according to google) who those people are in real life?  Well if you want to continue to daydream, don't do it.  THEY ARE NOT THE CHARACTER IN REAL LIFE!  They are people, like you and me.  They get up, eat breakfast, hopefully brush their teeth, snuggle with their dogs and have road rage, (some maybe in their lemos).  But ultimately they are who they are in real life.  Unfortunately, some like to drown out what they may be dealing with inside themselves with drugs.  But that is a whole different topic.  Sometimes it is just hard to face it, people are not the characters they portray in movies, but sometimes it is good to face reality and see that we as people are all just PEOPLE!  Unique in every way.

My point I am getting at is are you playing a character from a movie in your life?  Or are you yourself?  Raw and simple.  Cut to the chase, dont beat around the bush.  Dont lie, be honest and dont try too hard.  Its exhausting.  If we all were just real and not playing a character, we could all save each other time and really get to know each other.  I am not saying tell every secret you have up front.  Just be you, dont sweat trying to portray something "better".  There is nothing better than you.

One tip of advice:  If something is bothering you, and your not good at verbally fixing things, find therapy through art or exercise.  DONT GO SHOPPING AND BUY THE LATEST FAD.  Next week when YOURSELF comes back, you wont like the neon yellow shirt.

Be raw.  Be yourself.

Post a self-portrait of yourself in the comments that represents "you".  ;)