THERE’S A THOUSAND YOUS, THERE’S ONLY ONE OF ME
Or whatever it was that Kanye said.
Understanding the importance of individuality. Mel Robbins says the likelihood of you being you is one in… This reminds me of the scripture in the Bible, which speaks to our Creator's meticulous design — knowing each and every one of us from conception in our mother’s womb, down to the number of hairs on our heads. Much like how He knows the name of every star in the sky. Science and religion agree on this fundamental truth: we are all uniquely created. Our very DNA is what makes us individually who we are. Even identical twins, sharing the same womb, develop into distinct individuals with different personalities and thought processes.
Although we all have this distinction, we live in a world that promotes conformity. There’s a tendency to act, look, dress, and even think alike.
Don’t choose to be one of many! Embrace your uniqueness, no matter what. Each of us possesses valuable qualities to offer the world.
While inspiration from others is beneficial, there are aspects within us that are rarely replicated, setting us apart at our core. These traits cannot be taken from you because they are you — and they cannot be diminished. Here’s a few things that set us apart.
YOUR EXPERIENCES..YOUR STORY
The experiences you’ve had in this life are specifically curated for your personal growth, ultimately shaping you into the person you are today. Such experiences are uniquely personal and cannot be taken from you. No one has been exactly what you have been through. No one has walked a mile in your shoes! Though people can experience similar trials, the way we respond to them can be totally different, creating a unique story.
At times, we can feel shame for past events we wish we could rewrite. However, each experience offers a lesson and an opportunity to gain wisdom. Difficult times can guide us toward the right direction if we let them. Your experiences are a part of what makes you — use that to your advantage because it is your story to tell and no one else’s.
YOUR CHOICE IN MUSIC
When I was younger, I used to be embarrassed by some of the music I genuinely liked. It wasn't socially acceptable to like certain genres, especially where I grew up. For example, I loved rock music. What do I look like embracing rock when everyone else loved hip-hop?
As I got older, I realized how silly that was. Why should the music I play in my headphones affect anyone else? They're my ears. So why should I care if someone accepts the music I listen to? I started embracing the music I love, regardless of opinions. I embraced what different sounds invoke in me. In a society focused on popularity, don’t give up the part of yourself that is truly you. Don't pretend to like a song because it’s going viral or because your friends love it. Music is part of your personality — your personal taste is something no one can take from you. A person can try to like the music you do, but if they really don’t, they are only torturing themselves and that’s hilarious.
YOUR STYLE
Your style is a form of self-expression, a creative outlet. There’s a difference in how you feel when you wear your clothes vs. letting them wear you. That means you exude a different level of confidence from choosing what makes you feel amazing.
Sure, someone can buy the same items and style them similarly, but both of you will speak a different language. Take Zendaya at the 2025 Met Gala — similar outfits, yet both made it their own. I thought they looked amazing.
Your style could be how you wear your hair, makeup, tattoos, nail art, accessories — whatever! It’s not about trends. It’s about what genuinely makes you happy. As long as you feel comfortable, confident, and most importantly, like YOU, you’re doing it right. There’s a big correlation in “if you feel good, you look good, and if you look good, you feel good.”It took me a while to understand this, but I get it now.
YOUR IMPERFECTIONS
Those features that you dislike so much? Guess what? Those are what define you. They are often the aspects people notice when they think of you. You’ll be surprised how slight adjustments can alter your appearance. Let me show you some examples.
Everyone wants to improve, sometimes to the point of no longer resembling themselves or their family. We cannot see how others perceive us. All we see are the imperfections and how we can fix them. But the world sees your imperfections as part of what makes you beautiful. The pursuit of perfection can lead to self-doubt, but these “flaws” are the brushstrokes that paint the masterpiece of your unique individuality. They are the very elements that make you recognizable, relatable, and remarkable. They are the very things that cause us to stand out. Embracing them isn’t just self-acceptance; it’s celebrating the authentic and beautiful complexity of who you are.
YOUR HOBBIES
The things you love to do in your downtime are telling. When you genuinely enjoy a hobby, it usually fulfills a personal need. For me, I love aerial hoop. Someone else may pretend to enjoy it, but without a genuine reason, they’re only lying to themselves. Be your own person. Love what you love and love what you do. Life’s too short to be pretending to be someone else or doing things you don’t enjoy for the sake of pleasing and impressing someone else. Embrace your passions and let them enrich your life; they reflect your unique self.
YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR
You get what you find funny — only you truly get it. Sure, we can pretend to find something funny to fit in, but that’s uncomfortable and weird. I only want to laugh if I’m genuinely amused, not to relate artificially.
There’s nothing like gut-wrenching, authentic laughter. It’s so personal it’s hard for anyone to copy. That goes for your laugh too. Personally, I’m not a fan of mine, but it’s me. I’m known for it, even if I’m embarrassed. And because it’s hard to change, I stick with it and own it. This part of you? No one can take it.
YOUR VALUES
Your morals and integrity define what’s important to you in this life. Our experiences shape what we value — money, family, fame — but only you know why it holds the level of importance it does deep in your heart.
One thing I’m proud of is my desire for wisdom. I can’t pinpoint where it comes from, but the wisdom I’ve developed over time comes from my journey, lessons, and perspectives gained from others. This accumulated knowledge guides my decisions and shapes my outlook on life. It’s a treasure earned through experience and something that sets me apart.
Now I ask: what makes you different from the rest?
CHARACTER ANALYSES
