"لا تحاول جاهداً أن تندمج مع الآخرين ولا تحاول جاهداً أن تكون مختلفاً فقط اجتهد أن تكون نفسك."

You know, the core of this quote is all about being yourself. It's saying that we shouldn’t bend over backwards to fit into a mold or stand out just for the sake of standing out. Instead, we should focus our energy on being true to who we are. Simple, right?

Think about high school. Remember trying to fit in with the cool kids or maybe going the other way and doing everything possible to be the rebel, the unique one? Both are exhausting. This idea isn’t new—it's something people have been grappling with forever. It’s about authenticity, and being comfortable in your own skin.

Let me tell you about a real-life example that nails this down. Look at Steve Jobs. He was known for his black turtlenecks and jeans—not exactly the typical corporate attire. He didn’t dress to fit in with other CEOs, nor did he go out of his way to look radically different. He dressed in what felt comfortable and authentic to him. And guess what? That authenticity resonated. People saw someone who knew himself and wasn’t afraid to show it. His confidence and authenticity were part of what made him a visionary.

So how do you apply this in your life? Start by tuning out the noise and listening to yourself. It sounds cliché, but think about what you really like, what you dislike, and what you want. If you love painting but everyone around you is into sports, don’t ditch your passion to fit in. Equally, don’t force yourself to become an eccentric artist just to stand out. Embrace your love for painting because it’s part of who you are.

Imagine this scenario: You’re at a party, and everyone is talking about the latest Netflix series. You haven’t seen it because you’ve been engrossed in a book. You’ve got two choices. You could fake knowledge about the show to fit in, or you could try to steer the conversation toward books, trying hard to appear unique. But what if you just said, “Hey, I haven’t seen that show, but I’ve been reading this fantastic book instead.” It’s honest. You’re not pretending to be something you’re not. You’re bringing your true self into the conversation.

It’s not always easy. Sometimes being yourself means standing alone, and that can be tough. But over time, you’ll find that the connections you make are more genuine and fulfilling. People are naturally drawn to authenticity. We've all got a radar for it, whether we realize it or not.

So, here's the deal. The next time you catch yourself trying to tweak your personality to fit in or stand out, take a step back. Think about what you really want and who you really are. Then just be that person. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but with practice, it becomes second nature. You’ll find yourself in a much happier place, surrounded by people who appreciate the real you.

There you have it. It’s about being you—no more, no less. And trust me, that’s enough.