Welcome to Friyay, and welcome to our second Square Peg Story. (Look for this feature twice a month on Fridays.)
Today, you’re going to meet Lauren. I’ve known this lovely beacon of light for several years now and have always been impressed by her positivity, her smile, her talent, and her fashion sense, among other things. Everyone needs a Lauren in their life. Meet her below.
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Tell me how you feel you stand out from the norm.
What is the norm?! LOL I ask myself that all the time. I will say I never felt I stood out from the norm because I don’t even feel normal. As a black girl growing up in the Bronx, you automatically get labeled as this rough, tough heartless person before you even open your mouth or people get to know you. I have the same feelings/insecurities as any woman no matter where she’s from. I keep things bottled up and the slightest thing (like my coat pocket getting stuck on the doorknob) can send me into a crying fit like a baby. I was always told I was sensitive and it always stuck to me as a negative trait, something not normal. However, being sensitive is actually a normal thing. It means I feel things deeply and have a strong desire to bring happiness to the ones who I love and not have them feel pain. So I stand out by being true to who I am as a sensitive, full of emotion type of woman with her own sense of style that fits her outspoken shy personality. It took an artist like Kelis to really help me see that standing out from the norm as a black woman was super cool and dope. To this day I still embrace that feeling!
What’s a time you took your own path and chose the road not traveled?
Okay so this is going to sound funny but what I can think of is a situation when I was much younger. My sense of style was always different than my sisters or anyone for that matter (so I thought). I showed them an outfit and my eldest sister said, “I mean, I
wouldn’t wear it but if you like it, then so be it.” My mom said I looked dejected because I really wanted it and was on my way to put it back but she said, “Lauren, you love it! It doesn’t matter what other people think. This is you, mixing patterns and colors that don’t go together. Never let anyone make you feel uncomfortable about what you like and want”. LET ME TELL YOU HOW PROLIFIC THAT WAS TO ME!!! That spoke to me in so many ways that it stuck with me to this day. Many of my friends now will say “Somehow what you have on Lauren doesn’t make sense to me , but it makes perfectly good sense on you!” or they see something and say, “That is so you, Lauren. I see you rocking this!” I have changed the narrative of feeling dejected into feeling inspired. I don’t necessarily take a road not traveled but I do travel that road in a way that I like and makes me happy.
What would you tell your 15 year old self?
OH 15yr old Lauren……first let me give you hug. Your life is going to get much worse before it can get better and that will be a lesson that will help you during your tough times as an adult. You are beautiful, you are unique and not everyone will love it or like you but YOU will be proud of who you are. Don’t let rejection bring you down. People reject what they are not ready for in their life and my dear WHOA! what you have to offer in love, friendship, talent and heart will shake even the tallest mountain! Your presence will be felt in a room and your smile, your smile will be the one thing that makes lions purrrr. Make sure to always smile bright wherever you go, whomever you’re around and whatever you are doing. It will make others feel special and loved. Don’t let anyone tell you you are too strong; you have been through soooo much that others would’ve broke under the pressure and your endurance under this pressure has produced a beautiful rare pearl. Wear it proudly but allow your heart to be loved. You are worthy of that although no one has ever shown you it. Men will come and go but you stay true to yourself and one day SOMEONE will appreciate your beautiful rough pearl self. Love you always even when you don’t!!
Who are you?
I am Outspoken Shyness!! I am outspoken when I need to be but oh so shy at the same time. I speak my mind but hide it behind a blushing smile LOL. I am a lover of all things dance. I love to dance in supermarkets, in the streets, it just doesn’t matter where! I love to travel. I love, no, I am in love with all things Italian. I tell people I am Italian at times. I have a song for every situation in life, even if it’s not my situation and I will sing it for you lol. I am a woman who would love to be in love but until that happens, I will photograph the love I feel in my heart. I am an ambivert at heart. I overthink everything and already know what you will say after reading this because I thought of it while I was typing all of this. I am a city girl with a country heart and a love for the outdoors. That’s who I am. Lauren Layne…Just 2 LLs.
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Full of life and sincerity, no? Thank you, Lauren! Your kind words to your own self are reminders that, as women, we are our first fans, advocates, and true loves. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I take the following from your responses:
People reject what they are not ready for in their life and my dear WHOA! what you have to offer in love, friendship, talent and heart will shake even the tallest mountain! Please follow Lauren on the ‘Gram:
@Just2LLsKeep telling your own stories, dear reader, and share them if you can.
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This Square Peg. 
(Sorry for all the back to back comments, catching up on my reader!)
I love her story, I can so relate to the sensitivity aspect and the love of kelis! Her words to her 15 yo old self were so touching ☺️
No worries! Yes, her story was wonderful and completely relatable. Thanks for reading. 😊