Last week I was struggling with the fact that 90% of the women I see online have their hair down. But I prefer mine up. I have to wear it up for work and prefer it up 90% of the time at home as well. I like the idea of it down, long and flowy, but in reality, I prefer it tied back and out of the way.
I also know that Instagram is not real life. It's a highlight reel. One morning last week I was feeling the need for some validation. I thought I would find some women on the various platforms I use to find ones that wear their hair back as well. As soon as I finished the thought, Holy Spirit said, 'You don't need validation." It was like a soothing balm for my soul. I didn't need and still don't need to see other women wearing their hair up to know that I can.
In His great mercy and grace, He then blessed me anyway with seeing a couple of women with their hair up, and it blessed and encouraged me.
So often we feel the need to get others' approval to do something or to like something. But the truth is, we don't need it. Oh sure, a second opinion is nice sometimes, but it doesn't take away from the validity of our own opinion.
So, whatever it is that you think you need validation on from your friends, family, social media or the world around you, you probably don't. You don't need someone to tell you that it's okay to like a particular snack, or a style of sweater or whatever it may be. You can simply like the item or do the activity and enjoy it for yourself. And if you're a little different from the rest of the world because of it, good. God created us to be unique, different from the rest of the world. If He didn’t want us to be different, He would have just copied and pasted the human race so that we all look and act the same.
Plus, by doing something a little different then those around you, it might encourage someone else to be who God has made them to be and like what they like, and I think that is a blessing.
Also, people can tell when you enjoy something vs. doing something because you are following someone's else's idea. Which is fine, infact its flattering if you ae doing it because you actually like the thing. But if you are doing it so that you fit in, you likely don't, because it doesn't look natural.
So, don’t worry about what other people are or are not doing. Check with God first, but do what you want to do.
I pray that this blesses and encourages you today, friend.
God Bless
~Hannah
