In middle school, high school and college we are labeled into groups of personalities. Walking into a school cafeteria you can tell exactly where the jocks, cheerleaders, “nerds”, cool people, “drama geeks”, outcasts, snobs, etc… are supposed to gather and converse. Peer pressure encourages us to even dress and act the part in order to be accepted by our social group in order to survive our grade school experience. We are molded to fit a stereotype that’s comfortable for that time and people associate with us accordingly.

Well, now that we are young adults out of school and living in the “real world”, what are we to do without our label? Oh no! Look around! There are no definable cliques to belong to! How will we dress? How will we talk and function without our peer group rules? All of a sudden, we realize that we must define ourselves! As young adults, this is a special season in our lives to cultivate who we choose to be and enhance it for all it’s worth. We no longer have to be pressured by a social group to “fit in” and our uniqueness should be celebrated!

As a spoken word artist and poet, for example, I went through a stage in my creativity where I was trying to “fit the mold” of every other female poet. I went out and bought the long skirts and flip flops, I tried to be all “earthy”, and I even braided my hair to substitute for the dreadlocks I didn’t have. How silly of me to try to be someone I wasn’t! When I took a close look at who I really was and embraced that person, my talents showed through and were appreciated more than ever.

Thank goodness for a discerning eye and clarity of thought! I encourage each and every young adult, and those past this stage of life, to really take a look at who you’ve become along the years. I’m sure you’ll see that time has created a wonderful individual!  It’s time to step out of the “label mold” and add your own unique flair to society!