Yep, I Listen to Justin Bieber.

On a typical morning you might find me either rolling to some coffee shop to write, class, or to the gym blasting my speakers out of my blue jeep screaming my head off to the music in the car.

If you have seen it before you know that sometimes it can be pretty animated. I tend to even dance in the car from time to time, and with my lanky frame stuffed into the driver’s seat, limbs fly and inevitably hit stuff from time to time.

I love my morning commutes, they are my chance to really get into state and set the tone for the day. Speaking personally, not much can do this better than some loud Justin Bieber and a mixed berry smoothie that I take on the go.

Yes, you read that right, I am a dude who listens to Justin Bieber.

It all started at my first summer at the Arundel Wharf, where we would regularly throw on Bieber as part of our morning playlist as we would prep the food for the day’s customers. The singing and laughing at ourselves for listening to his music gave us all a feeling of warmth and togetherness as we were about to face the chaos of a Kennebunkport summer day, and I believe this is why I resonate with his music.

Some of it is emotional, and I tend to be an emotional guy. Some of it is fun and upbeat, and I tend to be goofy and upbeat, and some of it is passionate, and helps me recognize and zero in on my mission every day.

Now, most dudes don’t listen to Justin Bieber, and I know I am an outlier. However, the fact that I do is a part of me. His music reflects me in a weird way, and I own that.

I tell you this fact that some might consider embarrassing to make this point. Own who you are, and be proud of who you are.

The world deserves to see your most real and authentic sides. That includes the good, the bad, and the ugly. No matter what people are going to judge you, so why not project yourself in the truest form.

The real sides of you are going to always shine in one way or another, there are always cracks in people’s armor. Start on the right foot, be authentic, even if it means being authentic to yourself.

When you become something you are not, you lack fulfillment. You lose yourself in the chaos of life, and that battle is a lot more difficult than finding your niche and people who truly appreciate you.

So a friendly reminder, no matter what you are, you are beautiful the way you are.

Sounds like a Justin Bieber line, but I swear it is true.

(Also, I couldn’t not use the mug shot photo. lol)