by Anitra Lahiri, RYT-500
You’ve felt it — that tug to quiet the parts of you that don’t fit into society’s tidy categories, causing you to wrestle with who you really are and silence the voice inside that whispers (or screams), This. Is. Me.
But the world doesn’t need yet another carbon copy of what sits unmoving on Instagram or the cover of Vogue. It needs you — the real you.
For those of you living your truth as an LGBTQ+ individual: There may have been times when the pressure to conform, to hide, to pretend, to acquiesce was overwhelmingly tempting. But the beauty of your identity lies in its authenticity. This life is not about fitting into someone else’s idea of who you should be; it’s about living your truth boldly, even when the people around you aren’t ready for it.
For the introverts, those of you who move quietly through a society that rewards the loudest voices: Maybe you’ve felt alone in a culture full of chatter. But there is power in your quietude. Your ability to observe, to listen, to reflect, to feel — these are your strengths. You don’t have to shout to be heard; know that your voice, soft as it may be, carries weight that the world needs to hear.
For the activists, the fighters for change: You face resistance, criticism, hostility, and risk. But progress has never happened because of the people who played it safe. Keep refusing to accept the status quo, keep pushing against the current. You are needed to spark the flames of evolution and revolution.
To anyone who feels like they’re swimming upstream, who doesn’t fit neatly into any of society’s boxes: The world needs you to see things differently, to challenge the norm, to be.
Feel the steady beat of your heart, the rhythm that’s uniquely yours. And know that it’s okay — more than OK — necessary — to be exactly who you are.
Your value isn’t determined by how well you fit in, but by how authentically you live your truths.
Your truth, your voice, your journey, your identity — matters. This life is yours, dear reader. Live it authentically, boldly, unapologetically.
And the world will adjust.
Anitra Lahiri is a dedicated yoga studio owner, mental health advocate, and stigma-shatterer, supporting individuals on their journey to healing and recovery.
Anitra Lahiri 