Be You- Always by Patsy

Be You- Always by Patsy - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

If I could go back in time and give one piece of advice to my younger self, it would be this: Be you, and don’t let anyone change who you are. As simple as those words may sound, they hold the power to reshape an entire life. They are words I wish I had heard sooner—words I wish I had believed. Because for a long time, I tried to fit into a world that wanted me to be someone else. I tried to dim my light, change my voice, hide my strengths, and silence the things that made me different, all in the hope of being liked, accepted, and understood. But the truth is, the best thing I’ve ever done was stop trying to be anyone else and finally start being me.

Growing up, I struggled with confidence. I didn’t always feel like I fit in. Whether it was because of my personality, my interests, my faith, or my passion for things that other people didn’t understand, I often felt pressure to shrink myself down to meet other people’s expectations. I remember changing the way I talked, second-guessing my ideas, and holding back my opinions just to avoid judgment. I remember moments when I pretended to be okay with things I wasn’t okay with, just to keep the peace. I remember telling myself, “If you just act like everyone else, maybe they’ll accept you.”

But the more I tried to blend in, the more I lost myself. The more I pushed down who I really was, the more I felt empty, tired, and unseen. And here’s the hard truth I’ve learned: no matter how much you try to please others, it’s never worth it if it costs you your identity.

That’s why, if I could sit down with my past self, I’d look her in the eyes and say, You are enough just as you are. You don’t have to change to be worthy of love, respect, or success. The world needs exactly who you are—so don’t be afraid to show up as your full, authentic self.

I would remind her that it’s okay to be loud when you’re excited. It’s okay to be passionate about things other people don’t understand. It’s okay to stand out, speak up, and dream bigger than those around you. I’d tell her that her sensitivity is not a weakness—it’s a superpower. That her kindness is valuable, even when the world doesn’t reward it. That her faith, her morals, her personality, and her spark are not things to hide—they are gifts meant to be shared.

The reason this advice matters so much to me is because the moment I stopped apologizing for who I was, everything began to change. I started forming real friendships built on honesty, not performance. I started discovering what I truly loved, rather than what I was told I should love. I found strength in my uniqueness, and confidence in my voice. I began standing up for myself, standing out for the right reasons, and realizing that being different is not something to fear—it’s something to celebrate.

Now, I see my identity as my greatest tool—not something to fix, but something to embrace. Whether it’s in the classroom, on the softball field, in leadership roles, or in everyday life, I bring all of me. And by doing so, I’ve been able to inspire others to do the same. There’s something powerful about being fully yourself. It gives people permission to do the same. It builds connection, trust, and true belonging—not the kind of acceptance that’s based on fitting in, but the kind that comes from being seen for who you really are.

Of course, being yourself doesn’t mean everyone will understand you. There will always be people who criticize, question, or judge. But one thing I’ve learned is this: those people are not your people. The right people will appreciate your realness. The right opportunities will open for the real you, not the fake version. And the right path will become clear when you stop chasing approval and start chasing purpose.

So if I could give one piece of advice to my younger self—and to anyone else struggling with self-doubt—it would be this: Be proud of who you are. Stand firm in what you believe. Never let anyone’s opinions water down your worth. You were made to be you for a reason, and that is your greatest strength.

Looking back, I realize that everything I once tried to hide is what makes me who I am today: my honesty, my empathy, my creativity, my leadership, my faith. These are not flaws—they are features. And I refuse to spend one more second of my life trying to be less than who I was born to be.

Be bold. Be kind. Be you.

That’s the advice I’ll carry forever—and the message I’ll keep passing on.