"Tout ce que je peux faire, c'est être moi, qui que ce soit."

Being yourself—just being who you are—sounds simple, right? But oh boy, it’s a lifelong journey. This idea is about authenticity, about living in a way that’s true to your own values, desires, and quirks, even if you're still figuring out exactly what those are.

Take Bob Dylan, for example. He’s the one who said this, back in the 60s when he was becoming a voice of a generation. But the thing is, Dylan was always a bit of an enigma. He didn’t fit into a nice, neat box. Folk singer? Rock star? Poet? He didn’t let others define him and instead embraced his evolving self. That’s the heart of this quote, really—being comfortable with change and uncertainty, as long as it’s your change and your uncertainty.

Now, picture this: You’re at a family reunion, and everyone’s got different opinions about what you should do with your life. Your aunt thinks you should go into medicine, your cousin swears tech is the future, and your parents just want you to have a stable job. It’s easy to get lost in all these voices. But what if you took a step back and asked yourself what you really want? It’s a bit scary, but also liberating, to realize that the only person who truly knows what’s best for you—is you.

Let's get practical. Imagine Jane. She’s in her late 20s, working as a marketing exec because it’s what she studied in college. It pays well, it’s respectable. But every weekend, she dives into her true passion—photography. She loves capturing candid moments, playing with light and shadows. The more she does it, the more she realizes that she’s happiest behind a camera. So, she starts sharing her photos online, gets some freelance gigs, and eventually decides to go full-time with it. Sure, it’s not the traditional path, and yes, it’s risky. But she’s being true to herself, and that’s worth more than any paycheck.

Alright, so how do you apply this in your own life? Start small. You don’t have to make a huge leap like Jane right away. It could be as simple as expressing your own opinion in a group discussion, even if it’s different from everyone else’s. Or trying out that hobby you’ve always been curious about. The key is to listen to your inner voice—what makes you excited, what resonates with you?

Imagine you’re a teenager trying to decide what to do after high school. Everyone around you seems to have it all figured out, but you’re just not sure. Instead of forcing yourself into a decision that doesn’t sit right, give yourself permission to explore. Take a gap year, try internships in different fields, or take classes in subjects that interest you. It’s okay not to have all the answers right away. The important thing is to stay connected to what feels real and true for you.

Being yourself, in this ever-changing world, is both the easiest and hardest thing to do. It's about embracing your journey, your evolution, and staying true to your core, even when you’re still discovering what that looks like. So, take a deep breath, and remember—it’s perfectly okay to just be you, whoever that is.