Anonymous

     For years, I tried to mold myself into someone I thought others would love. I believed that if I could just become what everyone expected of me, I would finally find acceptance. I hid my quirks, downplayed my strengths, and constantly compared myself to others. But deep down, I felt empty and lost.      It's almost the end of the month. How have you been? Life can be tough, but I hope you continue to see its beauty and stay strong. Keep pushing forward—you're doing great!      My life right now feels wonderful, peaceful, and healthy, but like everyone else, I've had times when I felt insecure about myself—how I look, speak, or see the world. I used to wish I could be like others or even be them.     The turning point came when I hit rock bottom. I was exhausted from pretending to be someone I wasn't. One day, I looked in the mirror and didn't recognize the person staring back at me. I realized that I had been denying my true se...