If you’ve been looking for some ways to show off your identity to the world and live life to the fullest, Pride Palace is here with a few suggestions. 

Once you have the basics, you can expand on them and make them your own. Go wild. Be innovative. The things that make you happy may differ from what brings someone else joy, and that’s okay.

So, if you're looking for a little bit of inspiration, read on!

 

1) Show Off Your Style with What You Wear

One of the best ways to show off your identity is with unique clothes that showcase your personality. After all, most people won't know that you're part of the LGBTQ+ community just by looking at you. Showing off your pride can make you even more confident. 

For that reason, Pride Palace offers plenty of options from subtle pride rings to not-so-subtle pride hoodies so you can show off your pride and feel solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.

Plus, if you go out rocking an LGBTQ+ pride look, you might end up meeting some new friends in the community. Don’t be afraid to show people who you are!

 

2) Get Involved in Your Community, LGBTQ+ and Beyond 

There are so many people in the LGBTQ+ community who would love to meet you and be friends with you. Our community is made up of unique, loving, and welcoming people who have amazing stories of strength, courage, and just plain fun to share. The LGBTQ+ community might be where you meet your next best friend, group of friends or even just people to rely on when you are going through something.

In fact, organizations like The Trevor Project provide 24-hour hotline services for members of the LGBTQ+ community who just need to hear a friendly voice.

During the pandemic, many people have taken advantage of online social groups. Online forums are a fantastic way to find like-minded people you can talk to when you just need to get things off your chest. Joining an online group can be the perfect way to meet people, even ones who don't live anywhere near you. After all, we all need friends to lean on.

Outside of local LGBTQ+ groups, there are plenty of local organizations and nonprofits that would be happy to have you get involved. Charity work is extremely fulfilling and helps you get in touch with other parts of your identity and important causes. 

You don't have to work for a pre-existing organization either. If you are enterprising and want to give back to your community, you can start your own food drive or gather resources from neighbors, family, and friends to donate on your own to those in need.

Whether you believe in karma in the universe or not, there is no doubt that your kindness will be rewarded in some way or another. One of the best ways to get in touch with inner happiness is to help create happiness for others.

 

3) Make Decisions That Meet Your Needs 

When we talk about making the right decisions for you, we mean that you have to put yourself first. You can’t love others until you first love yourself, which can be really hard at times.  

Many people find it easy to put their own needs and preferences on the back burner while taking care of people who need them for one reason or another. It can be hard or a bit challenging at first, especially if it’s a major change, but you need to find it in yourself to put yourself first sometimes. 

Everyone has a different way of doing this, so sit down and think about the things in your life that aren't contributing to your happiness, and see if there is anything you can do about it. Try and channel your inner Marie Kondo and think about everything in terms of "Does this spark joy?" If not, it may not be worth your time.

You need to give yourself the time, space, and freedom that you need if you truly want to be happy. Sometimes that means making decisions like taking a break from social media, spending less time with a particular relative just because they’re your relative, or seeking a change in your career — regardless, you only have one life to live, and it’s yours! 

 

4) Celebrate Your Identity in Your Own Way

No matter how you identify, there is a pride day for you to celebrate. Celebrating a pride day doesn't have to mean marching in a parade, although that is definitely one way to have a lot of fun! You and your friends or neighbors could organize a yearly get-together or outdoor barbecue to celebrate. Or you and your family can use an existing day, or make your own, to take a moment just to celebrate who you are. It might be the day you mustered up the courage to come out, or you might want to weave it into your birthday, but the celebration of your identity is an important part of being human, and your identity is one of those things that is simply worth celebrating.

Some people might not be out among their friends or family, but that doesn't mean they can't celebrate, too. We would love to see a world where everyone can be open with who they are, but you may not be ready for that quite yet, or you might think it's no one's business but your own. 

Both of these are totally okay! In either case, you can still make time to take pride in your identity. Maybe you pick up a book written by a queer author or give a new band a listen. It could be as simple as picking a movie to put on that tells the story of someone in the LGBTQ+ community or really basking in an Orange Is The New Black binge. 

It’s your journey, so don’t be afraid to make it your own, whatever that looks like.

 

Takeaway 

The whole point of being yourself is celebrating what makes you unique. Some of these ideas might not be for you, and that's perfectly okay! Everyone should take the time to think about what makes them happy and how to find true joy in their lives. 

Every day that you are alive is another opportunity to do something that makes you happy, so take full advantage of it, and be YOU.




Sources:

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/?gclid=CjwKCAiAgc-ABhA7EiwAjev-jxrZTBvk6tUif66Y-gqVr8ty_3uX9rPjVmyj0QM2m3FvPFBUqRtgKRoCR2IQAvD_BwE

https://www.vice.com/en/article/m7jvbq/how-to-celebrate-pride-quietly-when-you-arent-totally-out

David Brothers and Paloma Pinto