In today’s society, it has unfortunately become the norm to constantly compare yourself against others.

Whether this be your strangers online, friend’s achievements, or even family members, the majority of people internally battle with weakening thoughts of self doubt, and find it extremely difficult to put a carefree façade up to others.

From a young age, we are constantly told the beauty of being unique. We hear cliché phrases, and it is hammered into our minds.

However, due to societal standards, many feel constrained on their own sense of self. Due to the rise of platforms such as TikTok, thousands of microtrends are consumed by teenagers each and every day, slowly wearing away and nibbling at their identity, on a hunt to make everyone conform to be the same person. 

Many feel the need to rid themselves of what is actually important to them, such as the beliefs, practices, and hobbies, out of a futile desire to fit in.

But this shouldn’t be the case. Freedom of expression is one of our fundamental human rights, and through being true to yourself, you can begin to learn the power of your own authenticity. 

For example, art galleries are enjoyed for the variety of artworks that they present. If a gallery showed only one same painting repeated hundreds of times the beauty of that art piece would be lost, as it would simply blend in and be considered as nothing special, regardless of how in depth or detailed it was.

Our differences are what makes us beautiful, and at the heart of individuality stems the appreciation of diversity.

Embracing individuality not only allows one to appreciate their own self, but also the others around them.

By celebrating the uniqueness of ourselves and those around us, we can nurture a society in which we are all valued for who we are. 

  • This article was written by Sara Thomas from Wildern School, as part of Newsquest's Young Reporter Scheme.