Something you may not know about me is that I love to wear a hat. I feel like it completes my outfit and I use them as decor on my wall. 🤪 I looooove a good hat!
It can be hard to explore and find your style while living in a small town. People don’t really accept anything that’s out of the ordinary. Even something as simple as wearing a hat. I have always loved to stand out. I like to do my own thing and just be me. So, when I feel like wearing my hat, I’ll wear it.
The funny thing is, however, almost every time I’d wear a hat, I’d get some kind of passive remark about it. I’d always think to myself, “It’s literally just a hat..?? Men wear hats everywhere. What’s the big deal?” 😂
But I would never let it bother me. Like I said, I like to stand out and that kind of fueled the flame for me. However, it started happening more often and I started to grow insecure. I’d want to wear my hat, but I was afraid people would think I was being…idk… extra? I became too embarrassed to wear it.
Not long after this, I went on a trip to Nashville with my husband and parents. I was so excited to take all of the pictures and, of course, I brought a hat without hesitation. When I was getting ready for the day, I wanted to wear my hat but started second guessing myself. Is it too much? What would people think? My family knows I love all things fashion and they have always encouraged me. I decided not to wear my hat, and my mom asked me why. I explained that I was afraid someone would make fun of me. My mom so casually replied (and I’ll never forget it), “They’re gonna talk about you whether you wear the hat or not, so just wear the hat.”
This probably sounds so silly. I mean, it’s just a hat, but I think it’s a perfect analogy for life. Too often we allow other people’s opinions to control us. Whether it’s an outfit choice, a relationship, your major, a financial decision, etc. When we become worried about what others think, we become insecure and we lose ourselves and our passions.
What my mom said to me has stuck with me because it is so true. If someone is seeking an opportunity to discourage you and tear you down, they will find a way no matter what. Whether you wear the hat or not, they will look for something negative to say. So you might as well do what gives you joy.
More importantly, my mom has always reminded me of the verse Romans 8:31 that says, “If God is for us, then who can be against us?” There is only One whom we should seek to please- God. His is the only opinion that matters. He has given each of us unique passions that we should pursue without fear or hesitation. And as long as what we do honors Him, no other opinion matters.
So, let this be your reminder to go for it. Do the thing that God has called you to do. Pursue the career. Write the book. Start the YouTube channel. Take the trip. Go for it. The people who are going to support you will support you no matter what you do. And the people who aren’t going to support you won’t support you no matter what you do. Do what honors God and gives you purpose in life. Let the people say what they want to say. (And to be honest, those little comments make me want to wear my hat even more!)
So, if you see me wearing my hat. Just know I probably thought, “Hmm should I? Yes, I should!”
And you should too. Just wear the hat, sis!
xoxo, Av
Comments