Nothing Like the Rest, Darling

Inspiration. It drives us to discover new aspects of ourselves, to achieve or make things that might not have even crossed our minds had it not been for that one instant. I get inspired from words, thoughts, people, places, sounds, pretty much everything I can sense, anything I can feel.

But inspiration isn't merely finding something you adore and taking it, claiming it to be your own. Rather inspiration is finding something you adore and transforming it to suit your ideas and lifestyle. Taking something and making it your own by weaving it with your own aesthetic, putting your unique signature on it. Adding that twist that truly makes it yours and prevents anyone else from claiming it.

No two people see the world the same way. No matter how many similarities may exist, we all interpret things differently. Therefore, it's almost impossible to have identical thoughts or ideas.

Spending a lot of time with someone or getting to know another deeply can bring you closer, with it bringing similarities. However, no matter how deep a relationship, it's important to remain individuals simultaneously. Whether it's a close friend or significant other, there's no reason to lose sense of who you are, your uniqueness.

We often mistake looking up to someone as wanting to be them, which is not the case. If you admire someone, work to achieve their accomplishments, by all means, but in the ways that relate to your dreams, aspirations, personality, in a way that remains you.

By sacrificing your sense of individuality, not only are you losing your identity, but also stealing theirs.

Wrecking and Ruining

As people, we're always evolving. They say that life isn't about finding yourself, but rather creating yourself. But what happens when you start losing sight of yourself?

You know who you are. You know your desires, passions, hopes and dreams, likes and dislikes. You know yourself. Yet, your decisions are no longer a reflection of your personality. When your actions no longer reflect your values and beliefs. When you lose connection with the people and things that once mattered most. When you just don't feel the way you once did. Yet you continue to fulfill your daily responsibilities, so you fail to see it happening.

It's almost like walking around broken, living life halfway, yet no one can see it. Only the closest dear ones can sense the change, yet only you can fix it.

Such drastic changes usually occur after a traumatizing event. But what if it suddenly catches up to you years later? Could it have been the stress of everything? Or rather the pressure of always holding it together? Perhaps it was the unresolved issues from the past resurfacing.

Either way, change is necessary. Here's to returning priority to the people and things that matter and avoiding the harmful.