The age of acceptance

I have spent so much of my 33 years trying to get people to like me, accept me. I wanted to belong.
And this isn't that uncommon. I think many of us spend a lot time trying to fit in and for people to like us. Don't lie, and say, "Oh no, not me."
We all do it, just the way we do it is different. Some of us try to follow the crow and make the same type of jokes. Or we try to bribe our way in somehow. Or we try to make ourselves as fashionable as possible with the newest items. It helps us conform to some idea of cool, hip, acceptable. The hyper-color shirt comes to mind -- I remember pestering my mother for one because everyone had one and I wanted to be cool.
But I realized the other day, that I don't think I care if people like me or not.
Not everyone is going agree with me. Not everyone is going to like my style. Not everyone is going to notice me. Some people are going to be surprised when I say I am married (I'm still not sure why people are surprise, but whatever). Not everyone is going to like me.
And that is OK...because the only person who really needs to like me, is me. Well, and my husband. LOL :)