This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at South Carolina chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Every person you meet is completely unique. We are each an “unrepeatable expression of life” (Medium). Embracing your uniqueness means leading from a place that is genuine and being true to yourself in your everyday life.

Reminisce about that feeling when a friend says, “This reminded me of you!” Or even receiving a gift that makes you feel completely understood. To me, that is one of the most magical feelings on earth. As the cliche goes, “to be loved is to be known.”

We each have our own distinct styles, talents, and personalities. How would you feel if your favorite person in the world felt like they couldn’t be themselves? That they had to blend in to feel worthy? Maybe you have experienced this yourself. Maybe you have had to watch someone else’s light fade because they didn’t feel like they could truly express themself. By embracing our unique qualities, we discover our identity and grow towards a life that we love.

We are ever-changing. Don’t be quick to define yourself. Uniqueness ≠ distinctness. Embracing your uniqueness means carrying yourself in a manner that feels authentic to you. You don’t have to be spunky or outgoing to be unique! Feeling like yourself can guide you to exuding confidence and feeling genuine to those around you.

Here are 5 ways I have found to embrace my own uniqueness:

1. Create a Pinterest board that represents yourself.

Pink flowers, purple skies, long curly hair, reading at night, and a castle surrounded by nature. This is a small glimpse at my Pinterest board I named “me.” Maybe I am just a visual learner, but compiling these pictures of how I perceived myself gave me a beautiful mosaic of my identity. There is something comforting about seeing a tangible representation of your unique essence.

2. Dress in a way authentic to you.

Look good, feel good. Jewelry! Hair! Colors! There are so many aspects to dressing like yourself. My favorite pieces are my silver armlet, my cow slippers, my five signature rings, and my favorite dainty necklace. I love making my outfits a little more “me” by adding small details. Besides statement pieces, find a color palette that you feel confident in.

3. Harness the little details.

Picture a life where every facet of your life contained something that felt like you. From stickers on your water bottle to an opal necklace that you wear everywhere, when you surround yourself with everyday things that embrace an essence of uniqueness, you’ll feel more like yourself.

4. Have favorites.

The things we love are defining points of our lives. Having favorites can be another factor of your uniqueness! These can be characters, movies that speak to you, or songs that match your mood. Your favorite people, places, and memories make up how you got where you are today.

5. Find your people.

Gravitate towards people you can be yourself around. My biggest advice on being unique is to find your people. It is vital to find people who love and accept you for who you are. People who treat you kindly, care about your interests, and make you happy. Fitting in does not have to be a trade-off for sacrificing parts of yourself. Admittedly, it is easier said than done. When you are comfortable being your true self, you risk rejection; not of a facade, but of who you really are — which is scary! However, embracing your unique self creates a ripple effect. Authenticity is a magnetic quality and it inspires people to be the same.

A Case Study on Uniqueness: Kat Stratford from 10 Things I Hate About You

The character Kat in the 1999 film 10 Things I Hate About You says: “I am a firm believer in doing something for your own reasons, and not someone else’s.” Kat Stratford is a great case study on uniqueness; she embodies an independent spirit, not afraid to break conformity. She made a decision that did not align with her values and decided to thus forward embrace her individuality. She loves indie rock, feminist literature, and Thai food (Charactour). Fans still love Kat today because of her uniqueness, and her character is a role model to those who strive to be unapologetically themselves.

In summary

Don’t be afraid to be yourself. Uniqueness is one of the most magnetic and beautiful qualities a person can have. I encourage each one of you to gravitate towards things that align with your inner self. An editorial published in Medium puts it perfectly: by being authentic “we can lead with greater clarity, empathy, and purpose, recognizing the inherent value in both our individual experiences and the experiences of those we lead” (Morrissey). The path to genuine happiness starts by embracing who we really are, so pay attention to the little details, pick favorites, dress in a way that feels like you, find your people, and go make that Pinterest board!

Embracing Your Uniqueness