A lawyer I once knew told me of a strange case a suffragette who had never married. After her death he opened her trunk and discovered 50 wedding gowns.
A graduation ceremony is an event where the commencement speaker tells thousands of students dressed in identical caps and gowns that 'individuality' is the key to success.
If you let your fear of consequence prevent you from following your deepest instinct your life will be safe expedient and thin.