Everything I’m Not

By: Ellisa Oyewo

The box. The tragic box that people love to stuff you in. The simple labels that people strategically slap on your forehead after five seconds of meeting you, also known as stereotypes. Unfortunately, it happens everyday. People often judge others even before a word is spoken to them in person. How a person acts and how a person is seen visually, will trigger how that person is perceived in numerous cases.

Many times we actually know how and why we may be put in a stereotypical box  and often fight against it. For instance, if someone sees you and assume what you “represent,” it’s natural to want to prove them wrong. We sometimes push so hard to not fit in a specific category that it leads to overcompensation.  We’ll make it known in a very drastic way and end up losing ourselves in the end.

This can be just as detrimental as playing in the box others want to place you in. When you push so hard to prove to others wrong, both the true representation of yourself is lost and also the focus of who you are as a person is confused. When you do not worry about ignorant labels or trying to change people’s views of you, your true image will eventually shine through. This will be much more powerful than you actively trying to prove them wrong.

Always remember and never forget: no one can be a better you than you…they will eventually catch on!

“Everything I’m not made me everything I am.”

– Kanye West

Miracles & Blessings,

Ellisa Oyewo