Born This Way

Acceptance

A job of a Manager at a recognized food outlet isn't as easy as it seems especially when you are in charge of pleasing people by providing them with services based on their preferences while looking after the management as well as trying to fit in with the society's mind-set.

As a boy rather than having all the hobbies and interests a boy should have, I on the other hand enjoyed applying makeup, trying on dresses, grooming of hair and nails, gossiping like a girl and all other interests similar to that of a girl.

With the gradual mental changes occurring, made me question myself even more.

The more anxious I started to get the more I started distancing myself from everyone with the fear of getting bullied and judged.

Later, this inbuilding fear in me not only damaged my self-confidence at work wherein I pretended to be a man acceptable to the work environment and not make me stand out but also refrained me from disclosing my true identity from my beloved ones.

The frustration of hiding my identity shattered me.

At last I concluded to confide with my sister regarding the issue and also exploring the person I am and the person I would like to be.

For the process of exploring I considered indulging in communities having the same interests and hobbies as mine like skating, classical dancing, art of making various varieties of mehndi and tattoo designing.

Finally, it dawned on me that I am very happy with what I am pursuing.

It keeps me involved and gives me immense pleasure and thus led me to finally accept myself as I am and I love myself for the same.

The phase of self- realization helped me achieve mental peace and I no longer need to fight for the identity crisis that I was going through.

Hence, I continued being the one I like without making any forceful changes to fit in the society.

As Brene Brown rightly said "Let go of who you think you are supposed to be and be who you are."

This has had a huge impact leading me in acceptance of myself, the way I am.

This also brought positivity in my work and made people recognize me for my work as against my habits.

Having conquered my anxieties, I am finally happy to be myself and made my presence in the society acceptable.

From my own experience I feel it's imperative for one to first recognize, understand, accept and live on the way you consider normal and set a standard in society by not letting the negativity hold you down like an anchor.

-Isha D Thakkar