Don't chase popularity

 It seemed almost imperative when we were young, but its the dumbest lead you can take .  Doesn't stop most people from falling for it ? 
Having a  change of heart and mind  over it as you get older takes some doing and many never sadly never do it  .

How does one do it ? -- a  change of mind is the best way to energize your heart 
A change of mind ( eg think "beyond nature" not "bound by nature"  )  is worth it , its worth it because chasing popularity wastes time and  means nothing . Your unique adventure is what matters .

Let me remind you the that the  earlier  you do it,  the better your life will be .
Don't wait till that face in the mirror tells you you are no longer cute . Its terribly late to wait till then to realize popularity means nothing .

Learn to build on the basics  Things that are true and metaphors that work
.As Jesus s said -  we are all like sheep ;  the best adventures for sheep are on the perimeter , not the centre where all the bleating and noise is . In the centre it is woefully plain , boring and misleading with fear messages coming in secondhand; you are not learning the precision you need to cut through in your own life . 

Let me  tell you my story . I could have been so cute and attractive by just changing a  little bit of my face, ( a few minutes work)  but I chose not to when i was a teenager  .  An odd feature  meant that I have  stayed a bit strange looking and so I tend to be pushed to  the background and have  accepted rejection and isolation in many areas of social engagement . 
I have never felt the need to change my decision because,  weighed up . the life of an outsider is one of the best , You get to be good at observing and that augers well for doing things well , writing building and inventing well and enjoying good writing and design  . I had one of the best jobs in the world where objectivity ( subjectivity of trusting the popular )  was essential ; I found a wonderful place in the world  that was beyond the wildest dreams of my teenage years - and i still love and get to practice that great profession , 
 You could say on the basis of my difficult and threatening  circumstances ( what nature  gives you to start with ) that I was even forced to learn what a wonderful thing it is to swim free - esp from peoples opinions ,
Whatever the herd mentality means it should mean madness to humans using their brains ( if not to animals )  Teenage years are  that time when you are likely to feel most isolated and the thought of your unique ness doesn't help you think you are much good help  or worth ).

I say make the most of who you are but learn to enjoy your uniqueness so you can really find your onw little place on earth before God calls you home.  There is a place on earth  and in your soul specifically made for you to occupy and enjoy so chase that biodiversity niche  idea for all you are worth .

You are unique - not meant to be a clone of your parents ( however much they would wish it) brothers or whomever hero  you spend your days tail ending for too long .   
Be yourself  Your resilience is dependent  not on what others do to you,or think of you 
but how well you adapt to your own unique  environment