In Other Words
this week’s prompt is:
“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.“
ee cummings
Before I accepted the me that I am I was not happy. Not a happy little girl, not a happy teenager, not a happy young woman. I wasn’t miserable just not happy. I was uncomfortable with other people because I was uncomfortable being me.
There were different ways I dealt with my discomfort. For awhile I was a chameleon. I just blended in wherever I was being like everyone around me so I wouldn’t stand out or be noticed.
Then I was an actress which is different than being a chameleon. I was a character in the play of my life just saying scripted words to fit the occasion or event. That was harder than being a chameleon…acting is tough. Keeping track of the parts you are playing can be exhausting. During my acting days I was a bit of a rebel, a quiet rebel to be sure, but a rebel all the same. Playing the characters I wanted without thought to consequences.
With whatever persona I used I was an outsider. I am still an outsider and I am okay with this. I think most introverts are solitary people. I have learned to be content with being different. Listening to my own music within. No longer playing parts or trying to fit in. Growing up has its pains and becoming who you really are is not for wimps. It takes courage.
On Wednesday, the 25th, there will be this quote to write about:
I do know my own mind. The trouble is my mind changes and then
I have to get acquainted with it all over again.
Lucy Maud Montgomery
Patricia's Place 
This was a fun one to write.
This is the story of my life too, and I now that “acting’ part well. I spent a lot of time rebelling, and that often led me in directions that didn’t work out well. But now that I am older I can look back on those days and smile, and realize how little I really knew about life when I thought I knew it all! 🙂 I love your introspective posts, Patricia, I think we are a lot alike in many ways.
Acting and rebelling didn’t work out well for me either. I cannot say I look back and smile, but I don’t dwell on regrets. I am an introspective person…comes with being an introvert I think. Hopefully, my telling my story is not TMI or….boring.
I think it is so much easier to be in the later years of our lives than when we were trying to be someone else in our 20s and 30s. It’s like a breath of fresh air!
As they say “with age comes wisdom” and “youth is wasted on the young” and “if I knew then what I know now”. Since my 50th birthday, more than a decade ago, life has been so much simpler and happier. The angst is gone.:)
It really takes courage to be what we want to be or to be and to show who we really are.
It takes courage to be real & to accept reality!
Thanks for the nice quote & for hosting, Patricia!
“t takes courage to be real & to accept reality!” Amen to that. Thank you, Anita, for commenting and participating in the hop. I enjoy reading your thoughts.
I believe growing up is hard to start with, add to that an introvert and it’s harder still. Glad life is better now. ❤ ❤ ❤
Maybe it’s harder if one is an introvert but once you understand that aspect of yourself it is easier.
I had a hard time till I turned about 50. I’ve always been an introvert too, but now I manage not to put up with nonsense. I was shy and a wall flower through school.
50 was my turn around year! It was like a burden was shed and I felt light-hearted for the first time.
Wow. I figured it was time to shine for me and devil may care. The clock was ticking. What was I waiting for. I finally felt like myself. Like I was somebody. ❤ ❤