Quotes About Authenticity

I don't like to do what people expect. Why should I live up to their expectations instead of my own?

There are few things harder than being born into the wrong body.

And I told you: I think of a photograph you took of me, up in Montreal. You told me to jump in the air, so in the picture, my feet are off the ground. Later, I asked you why you wanted me to do that, and you told me it was the only way to get me to forget about the expression on my face. You were right. I am completely unposed, completely genuine. In my mind's eye, I picture myself like that, reacting to you.

I am learning that a life isn't real unless someone else knows its reality. And I want my life to be real.

What's the point of something virtual if it doesn't end up being real?

Because what's the point of something virtual if it doesn't end up being real?

i have never had anybody talk to me like this. this is not a flirty sixth-grade phone call or bantering with friends or words passed in a note. i feel that if my soul could talk it would talk like this.

No, he finally said. I don't think you're boring. I think there are times you don't allow yourself to be interesting...but clearly that can change.

When Dawn looked at Vic, she saw Vic exactly as he wanted to be seen. Whereas Vic's parents couldn't help seeing who he used to be, and so many friends and strangers couldn't help seeing who he didn't want to be anymore, Dawn only saw him. Call it a blur if you want, but Dawn didn't see a blur. She saw a very distinct, very clear person.

We often believe the truest measure of a relationship is the ability to lay ourselves bare. But there's something to be said for parading your plumage as well, finding truth as much in the silly as the severe.

Since I'm not part of it yet, I see it: how a group of people can become a blizzard, how all the tie spent buying and picking out exactly the right clothes doesn't mean shit now because nobody is looking at clothes or poses.

She's being kind. Which is much more a sign of character than mere niceness. Kindness connects to who you are, while niceness connects to how you want to be seen.

When I say, Be my lover, I don't mean, Let's have an affair. I don't mean Sleep with me. I don't mean, Be my secret. I want us to go back down to that root. I want you to be the one who loves me. I want to be the one who loves you.

This Santa's beard was real, and so was his hair. He wasn't fucking around.

I can't stand being mean. People playing games. I want to guard myself against it, but I make a shitty guard for my own heart. I would rather lose the game than play it. I would rather be hurt than be mean. Because I can live with myself if I'm hurt. I don't think I could live with myself if I were mean.

Kindness connects to who you are, while niceness connects to how you want to be seen

The first sentence of the truth is always the hardest.

Be honest and don't pretend you're not falling truly, madly, and deeply for this guy. Denial will get you in trouble.

No. I don't. You don't always have to be who they want you to be, you know.

Self-preservation isn't worth it if you can't live with the self you're preserving.

The truth isn't laughable And the trust isn't funny at all.

Like everyone else, Avery considers his inner world to be a scary, convoluted, inscrutable place. It is one thing to show someone your best, cleanest version. It's quite another to make him aware of your deeper, jagged self.

i know if i told her about liking guys, she'd probably stop wanting to date me, which would be a huge plus. but i also know i'd immediately become her gay pet, and that's the last kind of leash i want. and it's not like i'm really that gay. i fucking hate madonna.

There are two approaches to going to a party. One approach is to try to make yourself into someone you're not. The other approach is the one I'm trying to use: instead of trying to be someone you're not, you can simply try to emphasize who you really are.