On the anniversary of Henry David Thoreau’s birth, I offer a quote that really rings true for me:

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away.”

I love this one, and it helps remind me to be myself, even when I sometimes long to fit in, but obviously don’t. I have never been one to follows the (m)Asses, and I may never be one who makes friends easily. As Mr. Darcy states in Pride and Prejudice (the movie), “I do not have the talent of conversing easily with people I have never met before.” Or apparently, with any peoples until I feel comfortable enough around them to be myself. Then that conversation can flow freely, and they may want me to shut the fuck up. Just ask my mom.

I just need to keep reminding myself that it might mean I will spend more time in my life alone than I ever expected. I suppose the best part about that is the people I allow into my life will be the best ones I can find, and I’m okay with that.

I just need to learn to feel like it’s worth loving myself. That can be so hard when you are a person who overthinks everything you ever said or did. Every word, every sentence, from every conversation. Was it right? Was it wrong? Why did I do that? I wish I had never done that. I wish I could start over with all the wisdom I have now and do everything differently.

We can’t change the past, though, and hopefully we can at least grow from those mistakes we feel we have made and make peace with them.