Embrace the critics! (and then ignore them)

​I was listening to one of Pink’s songs earlier.
 
One of my favourite lyrics of hers is:

“Done looking for the critics, ‘cause they're everywhere,
 
They don't like my jeans, they don't get my hair...”

It made me think about Pink (and pop stars in general)...

And how important it is that Pink stays true to herself and her identity.
 
If Pink dyed her hair blonde, or got a boob job, or wore the same clothes as every other pop star... she wouldn't be her.
 
Obvious, right?!
 
But we can all use this as an example.
 
My story...
 
I used to be a huge people pleaser.
 
Really bad.
 
I wanted people to like me, so I would practically morph into a different person when I met people.
 
Sure, it's good to make people feel comfortable.
 
But I would go too far, and turn myself into a version of me that I thought they would like.
 
So hearing Pink’s lyrics today was a good reminder...
 
That we are who we are.
 
And what makes us stand out is actually the best thing about us.  
 
If Pink was the same as every other singer out there, she wouldn't stand out.
 
And her fans probably wouldn't like her as much.
 
They like her for her hair, the way she dresses, and her particular style of music.
 
Not everyone likes her.
 
But that's okay! She still has a strong group of fans.
 
She doesn't need to change... to be liked by everyone.
 
(That would be impossible anyway - it's pretty hard to be liked by every single person.)
 
So at some point along the way, you're not gonna be someone's cup of tea.
 
Not everyone will like you or the way you do things.
 
And that's okay!
 
See, if we change to fit in with the people around us, we lose who we are.
 
For me, I lose my identity as Claire.
 
And yet, my friends like me for who I am.
 
For my love of puns...
 
For my tendency to use 300 words when ten will do... ;)
 
That's what makes me... me.
 
So let’s embrace ourselves for who we are.
 
Instead of trying to be something to everyone.
 
It's better to be everything to a few people, than something to everyone.
  
What do you think? I'd love to know. 

From someone who likes you just as you are :)

Claire