Throughout our lives, we often ignore our own desires and self in order to gain the approval of others. If you want everyone to like you, you should never say “no”, take on every task and feel responsible for the feelings of others. In order not to disappoint anyone, you should always prioritize the needs of others. However, by behaving this way, even if the people around you find you nice, they will not be able to truly know and love you. Because when you hide your true self, you disregard your own desires and boundaries and only aim for the satisfaction of others.

There are also social situations where you have to adapt; you feel like you have to think like everyone else, dress like them, and conform to general patterns. These pressures imposed by society suppress your uniqueness and make you question who you are. There is a constant expectation and control mechanism for you not to be yourself. When you are forced to fit into patterns instead of being different, you gradually distance yourself from your true self and come to the point of losing yourself.

Do you know what happens then? As you distance yourself from yourself, your soul can no longer withstand this pressure and disconnection. Your physical and mental health begins to deteriorate. First, you face depression, then you struggle with endless anxiety. The stress created by inner conflict can weaken your immune system and even lead to serious diseases such as cancer. Some people become addicted to this deep pain. Because the pain of not being yourself, of being disconnected from your true self, is really great; you feel a great void deep in your soul.

So how can you be yourself? The good news is that your true self is still there, waiting for you. It is constantly speaking to you through your being, your body, and your emotions. All you have to do is understand this inner voice, notice your feelings, and decide to be yourself. However, when you embark on this journey, some people who used to like you and admire you may no longer like you. Because when you come back to yourself, you will start living your own truth, not the expectations of others. So you will have to face this question: You or others? Will you choose your own happiness or the approval of others?