Nigerian actor and dad-of-two, James Ikechukwu Esomugha, popularly known as Jim Iyke, has taken to Instagram to reflect on his life and revealing he has always been different.

The businessman and fashionista, 42, disclosed that right from his childhood, age 12, he has always been different from his peers. He added that while his mates wanted to play football, he wanted to keep to himself, argue politics and read books far beyond his age and mental assimilation.

He further revealed that being different has caused him to be misunderstood by society but now, he owns it and has accepted who he is. The single dad also shared an advice with his fans who are going through what he’s been through, telling them to embrace who they are.

”You can’t choose who to love or love you back. But you can certainly choose who you make your way in life with. Choose prudently. Embrace your difference. It is the only rule. Your individuality and flair is your life long truth.”

READ ALSO: New Dad, Jim Iyke, Talks Fatherhood And How It Is Reshaping His Thoughts On Being A Man

Read his full post below…

”I’ve been different all my life. It dawned on me firstly at 12 when all the guys wanted to play football and and hang out together ( and I still don’t like football).

I just wanted to keep to myself, argue politics and humanity with my dad, watch TV endlessly and read books far beyond my age and mental assimilation. At first I struggled with it and struggled even more to fit in.

Strenuously running with the so called tailored social circles while my enthusiasm for life ebbed. But through the prism of my throes I found ways to hone it, own it and even unabashedly thrive by it.

My difference strategically set my trajectory in life. It is evidently not designed to encompass everyone. Being different is often misunderstood by eyes afar; a severe price tag. But discerning eyes understands its potency and inevitability.

You can’t choose who to love or love you back. But you can certainly choose who you make your way in life with. Choose prudently.
Embrace your difference. It is the only rule.

Your individuality and flair is your life long truth.
Those that know knows.
This one is for all the misfits out there.
I embody my niche.
I AM MY RULE.
#HARVPAPA #GLADYSBOI #TKPAPA#JJDAD #FINSBURYPARISSHOES#STYLEPIPER#MECURIALTRAVELSCHRONICLES.”

READ ALSO: Jim Iyke Reflects on Losing the Love of His Life & Lessons He Learned

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I've been different all my life. It dawned on me firstly at 12 when all the guys wanted to play football and and hang out together ( and I still dont like football). I just wanted to keep to myself, argue politics and humanity with my dad, watch TV endlessly and read books far beyond my age and mental assimilation. At first I struggled with it and struggled even more to fit in. Strenously running with the so called tailored social circles while my enthusiasm for life ebbed. But through the prism of my throes I found ways to hone it, own it and even unabashedly thrive by it. My difference strategically set my trajectory in life. It is evidently not designed to encompass everyone. Being different is often misunderstood by eyes afar; a severe price tag. But discerning eyes understands its potency and inevitability. You cant choose who to love or love you back. But you can certainly choose who u make your way in life with. Choose prudently. Embrace your difference. It is the only rule. Your individuality and flair is your life long truth. It is Monday. Quietly secure the bag. Those that know knows. This one is for all the misfits out there. I embody my niche. I AM MY RULE. #HARVPAPA #GLADYSBOI #TKPAPA #JJDAD #FINSBURYPARISSHOES #STYLEPIPER #MECURIALTRAVELSCHRONICLES

A post shared by Jim Iyke (@jim.iyke) on May 27, 2019 at 12:21pm PDT