Identity

‘Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation’ -Oscar Wilde

So today I went for my first ever magazine meeting! (The dream’s becoming a reality guys!!) And I feel so blessed to be a part of a magazine that’s sending out the RIGHT messages, cause I don’t think there’s enough of those out there. If you’d like to know how, then make sure you keep an eye out for the ‘Icare magazine’ which hopefully should be out before the end of this year-can’t give a definite date.

Anyway, so after our hearty discussions, we split up into groups according to the area that spiked our interest. I immediately jumped at the opportunity to get involved in this editorial that focuses on the subject of ‘Identity’. But when I joined the bandwagon, I soon realised just how HUGE that topic is and how confusing it can get.

However, it was so fun bouncing off ideas with these 3 other girls because during those 20 minutes, I truly did gain a lot.

Identity means different things to different people. You could be defined by where you’re from, your family, the clubs you’re a part of, your friends..the list is endless. But at the end of the day, I believe who defines you should be none other than YOU. I was browsing Facebook recently, (as you do) and I saw that Selena Gomez has gotten a new tattoo which reads: ‘Love Yourself First’ in Arabic and honestly, this is something I’ve been struggling with for as long as I can remember. But at the same time, it’s something I aspire to do.

I find it hard to be myself because to be perfectly honest, I want to be liked, I want to be accepted and at times I feel like the only way this could be remotely possible, is by changing myself to suit certain expectations. This is something I know other young people my age struggle with and so it was natural for me to be drawn towards the topic of ‘identity’.  I feel by airing my views, I can hopefully not only help not myself, but other people who may feel like they must fit in with certain stereotypes or labels to be seen as ‘acceptable’.

I’ve learnt through insightful discussions with my amazing friends and family, that at the end of the day God has ordained you to be who you are. ‘You are beautifully and wonderfully made’ and no one is a  mistake. NO ONE. So if this is a fact, then there’s no denying it-it’s there, it’s final and it’s up to you to make the conscious effort to remember it. I mean I find it extremely hard to do this but every day is a step towards the right direction and I live to learn.

So basically, if I’ve gone completely off topic- my point is that with this next step I plan to take in my writing journey, I hope what I bring to the table in this editorial is the fact that despite the labels and stereotypes that people abide by or believe is their identity- ones true identity lies in who God says they are and who they say are.

Peace & Love,

T
Xx