I have a little secret. I once used to love being called a bohemian girl, and I lived a complete fantasy in my head about how wonderful it would be. I wore beads, braids and friendship bands like they were going out of fashion. I wore long skirts and floaty floral dresses, and lots of silver jewellery. I wanted to be an artist, and I found it so hard to be different in a world where everything was focused on the selfish interests of the monetary, the misplaced pride of the ordinary. I imagined living in a house with floor to ceiling windows because I love natural sunlight, and it would have layers of light white curtains because I love seeing soft fabrics flutter in the breeze.

I remember being a broody little girl, lost in her thoughts, always wondering how much better life could be, always wishing that one day, I'll make it all happen. I tried to be happy, but there are some things you cannot change, and acceptance isn't always easy. I look back on my teenage years, full of angst and unfulfilled yearning, and I realize why I am the way I am today. After all, you never really truly appreciate the light until you've been in darkness.

I don't believe that clothes make the man. Or woman. But I do believe in self expression, and the freedom to be yourself without being judged. It is funny how we can succumb to so many things that we would rather not be, all in the sake of conformity. Being a quiet rebel, I hid behind my arm bands and my choice of clothing. I didn't think I looked very different, but I have been told otherwise. I have been told to grow up. To snap back to reality. To stop being such an attention seeker. It hurt every single time, because I was just trying to be me without crossing anyone's lines. Some people get uncomfortable even looking at others, there's nothing you can do about that.

I have since learnt to be comfortable in my own skin, to think "to hell with it" when I know I may stick out like a sore thumb - the main point is, I am happy being this way. And if someone else has a problem with it, then it remains just that - their problem. I've discovered that perhaps I really have bohemian blood running in my veins, and it's not all just a fantasy. I am a free spirit, and I have a quiet determination to remain this way, because it's the only way I've ever known to be. And I've started smiling a lot more because of it.

Someone once told me that maybe someday he'll be able to work out how to capture this smile of mine to keep for a rainy day, like having a sunbeam in his pocket. I will never forget that... and I will never forget to smile again, even when it's hard to do so... because it can change a person's entire life. Like how he changed mine the first time he smiled back at me.

Embrace who you are, because you are the best candidate for it.