Dave Drayton

Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to pause and reflect."

"Why did I chase the crowd when all I wanted was a close-knit circle?"

“You'll stop worrying what others think about you when you realize how seldom they do.”

I felt like I was under some imaginary spotlight. Every giggle, every whisper, every look felt like a judgment.

You start to believe that for life to be worthwhile, it has to be grandiose. And more importantly, that you need someone else to complete it. You're not waiting for Godot; you're waiting for the person from your favorite rom-com to waltz into your life and magically fix everything. But let’s snap back to reality

It's time to start valuing the person you see in the mirror every morning. It's time to live a life defined by your choices, not by a script you think you should be following. You are the writer, director, and lead actor in the grand movie of your life.

To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”

- William Shakespeare.

There’s no rulebook on being you. It's uncharted territory that only you can navigate. Be kind to yourself, learn and grow from missteps, and always cherish your uniqueness.

Let’s take this journey together, embracing authenticity and understanding that every imperfection is a badge of your humanity. It's time to stare into that mirror and recognize, cherish, and celebrate the person staring back.

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

The 'Self-Love' Irony: After this roller-coaster of imitation, we resort to “self-love hacks” without even knowing our true selves. It's like putting on a Band-Aid without cleaning the wound.