You used to scroll through social media before leaving your room just to check how people were dressing that day. You’d change your tone, your walk, even your opinions — hoping to blend in, to not be “that” person. But it left you drained, like wearing shoes that didn’t fit. Then one day, you let the mask drop — maybe you spoke your mind in a heated class debate, or wore something that actually felt like you. And instead of rejection, you found nods. Smiles. People who came up to say, “Thank you for saying that,” or “You’re brave for being real.” That was the beginning of peace.

You used to scroll through social media before leaving your room just to check how people were dressing that day. You’d change your tone, your walk, even your opinions — hoping to blend in, to not be “that” person. But it left you drained, like wearing shoes that didn’t fit. Then one day, you let the mask drop — maybe you spoke your mind in a heated class debate, or wore something that actually felt like you. And instead of rejection, you found nods. Smiles. People who came up to say, “Thank you for saying that,” or “You’re brave for being real.” That was the beginning of peace.