I thanked her sincerely, promising to do my best. My father and I walked out together, the hallway suddenly feeling much brighter. Outside, he turned to me and said, “You don’t have to hide who you are to make others comfortable.” His voice was steady, filled with quiet encouragement.
I realized then that confidence isn’t about standing out, but about standing true to yourself. That day taught me that self-expression is a part of growing up. And most importantly, I learned that support from someone who believes in you can change everything.
