You might notice that you laugh loudly with some people, go quiet with others, or speak your mind in one group but not another. It can be confusing — who am I, really? But feeling like a “different version” of yourself around different people doesn’t mean you’re fake. It means you’re human.

During your teen years, your identity is still forming. Your brain is exploring which parts of you fit where and how others respond. You’re testing, adjusting, and learning — like trying on clothes in a fitting room. Some fit right away, some don’t. Over time, you’ll discover which versions feel most like you.

It’s natural to want to belong, especially when belonging feels like everything. But if you often feel like you have to hide your real self or change completely to be accepted, it can wear you down. You shouldn’t have to earn your place by acting.

Alma’s tips:

Notice where you feel calm and natural. Who helps you breathe easier? That’s where you’ll find hints of your real self. You don’t need to decide who you are right now — it grows slowly, through the people and moments that make you feel whole. Your real self isn’t something you create; it’s what’s left when you stop pretending.