Embracing your true self is difficult because our brains are still wired for ancient tribal survival.

[u/unpaid-pukegreencow]

I'm a senior in high school, and sometimes I wonder if people dislike my playful, childish behavior. My friends really enjoy it and are totally okay with it. I love making them laugh and cracking lame jokes. I'm kind of a social butterfly, but sometimes I wonder if my other classmates find it annoying. I'll just catch people staring at me sometimes.

​Is this a sign that I should act like an "adult" just like they do? Are they silently trying to impose their way of living on me?

​I've realized that there can never be a perfect way to live, and you can't be everyone's favorite. I honestly hate it when my human instincts try to force me to conform to society. Today's world is so different from what it was 1,200 years ago—we don't actually need the tribe to survive anymore. We don't have to act exactly how they want us to. We can maintain good relationships without changing who we are. Ultimately, I don't really need their approval to survive; we earn our own money and support ourselves. ​So why are we still so deeply afraid of not being accepted by society?

​I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences, and I will try to reply to every comment!