Why It’s Better to Speak Your Mind Than Be Accepted By Everyone

As a lady, I was taught to be nice to people. To nod my head in silence. To give in to arguments. To say things others like to hear, even if I didn’t feel that way.

The reason was because my mom and dad didn’t want me to make enemies. Or upset anyone who’d have the nerve (and the brains) to barge into our house and possibly slaughter us all.

In their mind, pleasing everyone by giving in to their emotions and beliefs reassured us of security. The kind of security where you wouldn’t be cursed at or picked on. But rather, being passed as an acceptable person, as a friend.

So for 28 years, I was everyone’s “friend.” But never was I truly happy.

Because when you shut your mouth for the sake of other people’s feelings, you become invisible. Your voice becomes a faint whisper. And eventually, everyone walks over you because you never had the guts to speak your mind.

It was during my path towards writing when I started to let go of my old self.

I wanted to talk about my feelings. About the dark moments of my life. About things that tick me off. But most of all, I just wanted to be myself.

But of course, when you start expressing your thoughts with curse words or you unleash a sensitive topic, someone gets upset.

It made me realize that it doesn’t matter what you write or say, or how carefully you choose your words. It’ll always end up being twisted by others.

So why worry about saying the “right” thing?

You can never please everyone because everyone has their own way of looking at things. Plus…

“Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth, for being correct, for being you. Never apologize for being correct or for being years ahead of your time. If you’re right and you know it, speak your mind. Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is still the truth.” — Mahatma Gandhi

So stand tall and stay strong for what you think is right. After all, you have a voice. Use it to show people what you’re all about.