Quote of the Day

I stand out in the world, and I love that about myself.  I didn't always feel this way, but I've come to discover that the more I embrace who I am, the more I connect with other people.  And the more I connect with other people, the more I learn about myself.

-- Brittney Griner with Sue Hovey, In My Skin, p. 216

Quote of the Day

Everything depends on perspective, and how much you're willing to let people know the real you.  Some tall folks hunch over, trying to make themselves smaller.  Some short folks wear heels, trying to make themselves taller.  Me?  I don't want a hurt back or sore feet.  I want to walk along comfortably, content to let people think whatever they're going to think.  I've learned, through a lot of trial and error, that the rewards of being authentic far outweigh the risks.

-- Brittney Griner with Sue Hovey, In My Skin, p. 215

Quote of the Day

Being true to myself has often been at odds with my desire to please others.  I've spent years trying so hard to be the version of myself that would make the most people happy.  Over time, though, I've come to realize that no matter how much I compromise, some people will never understand me.  And accepting this truth has given me a new level of comfort and freedom. 

-- Brittney Griner with Sue Hovey, In My Skin, p. 46

Quote of the Day

I haven't always embraced the parts of me that are different, because when you're young, it's scary to voluntarily step away from the mainstream.  But I eventually realized that faking it is draining, and that the more people who raise their hands and say, "This is me," the more they help empower other people to do the same.

-- Brittney Griner with Sue Hovey, In My Skin, p. 42-43

Quote of the Day

It seems like an odd thing to say, but being who you are can take practice, especially when who you are doesn't fit neatly into the vision that society has for how you should act, what you should wear, who you should love.

-- Brittney Griner with Sue Hovey, In My Skin, p. 42

Quote of the Day

This constant quest to find the right balance is also a big reason I'm sharing my story, because I think anyone who has ever struggled to walk a different path, while also trying to fit in, can appreciate the difficulty of that journey and the lessons learned along the way.  In telling my story, I've come to understand myself on a deeper level, to think about how I can be the best version of myself, not just the version that others want to see.

-- Brittney Griner with Sue Hovey, In My Skin, p. 2

Quote of the Day

My desire to live authentically has often been at odds with my need to please.  I want to be me, but I also want to make the people around me happy.  It's a tug-of-war that has consumed me over the years, but one I'm finally learning to manage.

-- Brittney Griner with Sue Hovey, In My Skin, p. 2

Quote of the Day

I've learned that my top priority is being true to myself, and making choices that reflect who I am as a person, even if those choices -- how I dress, what I talk about, who I surround myself with -- make some people uncomfortable.

-- Brittney Griner with Sue Hovey, In My Skin, p. 2

Quote of the Day

I've always held things inside, kept most of my true feelings and emotions packed away.  From the time I was a kid, I've dealt with so much hurt this way: swallowing it whole, stacking it inside me, thinking I was strong enough to ignore it and keep a smile on my face.  Meanwhile, when I was busy telling myself it didn't matter, the hurt would become sadness, then anger, and eventually it would spill over.  This seemed natural to me, coping with the ups and downs of life by stuffing everything away until nothing more could fit, then dealing with all of it coming back up at once, a tidal wave of emotion.

-- Brittney Griner with Sue Hovey, In My Skin, p. 2

Quote of the Day

When I tell someone I'm a people pleaser, I'm often met with a raised eyebrow and a look that says, Really?  I never would have guessed it.  But it's true.  I want everyone to feel happy and accepted.  And I never want to be the cause of someone else's disappointment, because I know all too well how that particular brand of pain feels.

-- Brittney Griner with Sue Hovey, In My Skin, p. 1-2