Well, that's hard to say. In order to have, say, made different choices as an adolescent, I would have had to have the insight I have now. Did I try to fit in,

Well, that's hard to say. In order to have, say, made different choices as an adolescent, I would have had to have the insight I have now. Did I try to fit in, and do I still spend too much effort on worrying about others' perception of me? Yes! I think it is OK to look to "fit in," but don't do it at the expense of what makes you unique. That is what resonated with me about this particular bit of advice. I have seen in myself where I left some things on the table to have certain kinds of friends or to be seen (or avoid being seen) in a certain light. And I see where these conditions I have manufactured for myself don't have the staying power and are not as fulfilling as more natural relationships and experiences.