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Ditch the Dimmer Switch, B***h!

Finding the courage to be your true self and own your authentic shine

Daniel Lawson
3 min readFeb 19, 2024
It Don’t Mean A Thing if it Ain’t Got No Swing! Illustration by the Author

There’s a curious paradox to being human. We crave connection, yearning to connect with others on a fundamental level, forming tribes that understand our weird little nuances and quirks — other souls that just get us. Yet the reality of this world is, not everyone will be attuned to your vibe. Some may find your symphony jarring, your rhythm off-beat, your lyrics too raw. And that’s okay. Let me repeat, that’s okay.

The beauty of your melody lies in its authenticity, and the world needs its unique sound. Truth is, forcing yourself to blend in, to mute your vibrant notes to appease every passerby, does a disservice not only to the world, but also to yourself. It’s like painting a masterpiece based on copying someone else’s color palette, sacrificing the inspiration and the vibrant essence that makes it yours.

Remember, your uniqueness is your superpower, not a flaw.

Imagine the world as a vast orchestra. Each individual as an instrument with its own distinct voice. Imagine the cacophony if everyone played the same tune the exact same way. It would sound awful and bland, devoid of the richness that comes from diverse musical instruments weaving their notes and…

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Daniel Lawson
Daniel Lawson

Written by Daniel Lawson

NYC-based writer, fashionista & artist exploring the intersection of creative expression/LGBTQ identity/ politics/ social issues https://ko-fi.com/danieljlawson

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