embracing your uniqueness

Recently, a few blogger friends and I collaborated on a project called #CallToCulture. This really got me thinking about what makes me unique and how beautiful it is that none of us are completely alike. Growing up, I always wanted to fit in. I think that's what everyone wants when they're in elementary school, middle school, high school, and even in college. I had this idea in my head that if I dressed like everyone else, talked like them, and died my hair like them I would have a life similar to theirs. I quickly realized that no matter what I did, I would never be exactly like some of my friends and my life would never be identical to theirs. Throughout college is when I really began to love this fact instead of fighting it.

What makes you unique? This is a question I've gotten asked in almost every job interview. I actually have a very lengthy answer that I have had memorized since high school, but when I get asked this on the spot (like by a friend, family member, etc.) there's a few things I refer back to. Here are some example questions to ask yourself when you're trying to figure out what makes you unique:

Each one of us at the end of the day is completely unique. Even though I have some friends that I think I share SO MUCH in common with, I know that no two people are exactly alike in the world and that's something so special and beautiful. Learning to figure out what made me unique helped me learn about myself, the way I see myself, the way I communicate and like to be communicated with, what I can offer people, and what makes me the happiest, among so many other things. I believe it's so important to be self-aware and know these things so that we're able to best use ourselves in a way that's positive and best for the world and ourselves. 

• What do you have to offer?
• What makes you, you?
• What are your strengths?
• What has shaped you into the person you are today?
• What are you most passionate about?
• What are your perceptions of certain things/ideas?
• What are your beliefs?
• Where do you come from? Who do you come from?
• What are your hobbies?
• What role do relationships play in your life?
• How intelligent are you in certain areas? What are those areas?
• What's your personality like?
• What's your taste like?
• How do you communicate?
• What makes you laugh?
• What makes you emotional/cry?

I can totally tell you how to start embracing yourself (don't worry, that's the next thing in this post), but it all really begins with you and your willingness to embrace your uniqueness. Realizing what makes you unique isn't the end of the journey, but rather just you opening the door to so much more potential. Once you begin to embrace and apply your unique capabilities is when you'll begin to reach your highest success and potential and happiness because there's no one else that's as good as being you as you are!

Here's ways to being embracing your uniqueness: 

• Become aware of your uniqueness (see above ;))
• Recognize that unrealistic standards exist
• Make a list of your strengths and abilities
• Make a list of things you're proud of
• Avoid unnecessary self-criticism
• Accept affirmation from others
• Accept your mistakes and flaws and work every day to better yourself
• Always leave room for self-improvement 

I hope that helps! I think each one of us should find out what makes us unique, embrace that, and always work to improve ourselves on daily basis! Let me know if you have any questions or comments (in either the comment section below or shoot me an email/message!)

Bloggers:

Aania Aslam: @lifeofaani | www.lifeofaani.com

Doug Taa: @doug_taa | www.theneedforexpression.com

Ribicca Mayume: @iamabyssinia | www.amromenor.com

Emma Cortes: @emmasedition | www.emmasedition.com

Creative Direction: @emmasedition | www.emmasedition.com

Make Up: @mahlet.kelel

Hair: @sevenhaircare @7salon @hunteratseven

Photos: @miriamsubbiah | www.miriamsubbiah.com

Best,

Aani xx