When they say to tone it down,
get bigger.
When they say to be quiet,
get louder.
When they try to dull your sparkle,
shine as bright as you can.
When they ask to follow their rules of “appropriateness”,
get weirder.
When they ask if you’re ok,
don’t say you’re fine
when you aren’t.
Don’t give away your power.
stand in your integrity.
Yes, it can get lonely and uncomfortable.
Yet, the more often you stand up for yourself,
and stay in your own truth,
the stronger your voice becomes.