Being considerate is a virtue, but if it means hiding who you are, then maybe it’s time to consider being a little less considerate and a lot more you.
One decision I made that helped me grow — and by grow, I mean evolve from “a nice person trying too hard” to “a person who does whatever they want and doesn’t care” — was realizing that I didn’t have to constantly be considerate of everyone else’s opinions. Sure, I always cared about how others felt, and yeah, I’d bend over backwards to make people comfortable. But at some point, I realized: I’m not a yoga instructor, I don’t need to be this flexible.
There was a time when I’d adjust my outfit based on what I thought would make others happy. Like, “Oh, this jacket makes me feel cool, but will people think it’s too much?” Or, “Is this bold color going to give off ‘trying-too-hard’ vibes?” Meanwhile, the universe was like, Just wear the jacket. You’re not auditioning for a role on a teen drama. (And honestly, who needs approval to wear sequins? No one, that’s who.)
At some point, I had a quiet moment of clarity (probably while looking at my wardrobe full of unworn items because I was too worried about what people thought), and I realized: Being considerate is great, but not at the expense of my own happiness. So I started choosing myself first. My outfits? They’re mine. My thoughts? They’re mine. And the best part? No one has to like them. Except me. I’m the only one who has to wear these shoes.
Now I’m just out here, doing my thing. If you like it, awesome. If you don’t, that’s your problem. And let’s be real — I’m too busy wearing what makes me happy to even notice. So, I’m choosing myself, and it turns out, it’s a pretty good decision. Maybe not life-changing, but at least it’s less stressful than pretending I care if someone thinks my very colorful sneakers are “too loud.”
RETRO CHIC REVIVAL 