The costs of fitting in
The benefits of fitting in
Are clear.
Acceptance
Support
Camaraderie.
The costs of fitting in
Are tougher to see.
Like a slow leak in a tire
Nothing is noticeably lost
In the short run.
A creative idea here
Some self-expression there.
The suppression
Is seemingly insignificant and justified.
Sometimes it is.
But too much for too long
And your tire is on the ground
Deflated
And useless.
When the air is gone
You realize
That the costs of standing out,
Friction
Bruises
Battles with self-doubt,
Are cheaper
In the long run
Than
The costs of fitting in,
When fitting in doesn’t fit.