Freedom trip…or freedom to travel?

The joy of the trip started a week ago…
All the girls in the group were talking about clothes, makeup, and the beach…
And I sat there looking at my long outfit and veil, thinking:
“I wonder if I’ll be a stranger among them?”

On the bus, laughter and jokes filled the place.
One of the girls looked at me and said:
— “Don’t you intend to change your style for a couple of days? We’re at the coast… We want freedom and mischief!”

I laughed and said:
— “I want to live the freedom that makes me comfortable… Each girl is free in her own way, right?”

The rest were a bit sarcastic:
— “What kind of freedom is this? Come on, try wearing loose clothes in this heat…
Enough of the chivalry, let’s live for a couple of days like normal girls!”

Every sentence was like a pin…
But inside me, a voice quieter than the sea echoed:
“I’m happy this way… I don’t need to prove to anyone that my style isn’t weakness; on the contrary, it’s strength.”

At the end of the day, While we were on the beach, I found a new girl sitting next to me and she whispered, “How do you have the courage to stay committed amidst all this pressure?
I break down every time and change things so no one makes fun of me…”

I smiled at her and said, “The one you truly love, you’ll stick with even if you’re alone… And sometimes, having one constant encourages ten other girls to be stronger.”

If you were on a trip or outing and felt like an outsider because of your clothing…
What did you do? Did you give in to the pressure or stay strong?
Share with us the most difficult situation you’ve ever faced with your friends, or write some advice for a girl who’s afraid of group gossip…
A word from you could change someone’s mind today.