Admit it: there’s something about you that makes you different. Perhaps it’s some thing that you do (or don’t do) that is out of sync with others. Perhaps there’s something about you that others who meet you tend to comment upon.
Today, I wish to celebrate all that makes you “weird.”
Table of Contents
How I am “weird” (a short list)
Sometimes, I feel very out of step with many aspects of normal society. Depending on the day and my mood, this either pleases me or makes me feel quite lonely.
Here is a short list of some of the ways that I feel like I do things differently. These are primarily based on various (perennial) conversations I’ve had with others.
- I don’t have a smartphone. I’ve explained this on multiple occasions and I sort of want to print it all out and give it to people when I head down the conversation road about how someone “avoided getting one for as long as possible” but now “can’t live without it,” especially because they “always get lost.” I know. It’s okay. I’m not judging you, I just feel better without Internet everywhere I go.
- I’m not on Facebook. Yes, I exist. No, I’m not on the “dark web.” Yes, I know it’s great for keeping in touch with people. I’m sorry it makes me more difficult to get in touch with. I promise I’m not doing it to make your life difficult. I just choose to limit the signal-to-noise ratio in my life. It has nothing to do with you.
- I have no debt, and keep control of my finances. I know it’s hard. I know it takes effort. I know your life is tiring. I know you say you can’t think about that right now. I’m just saying that the knowledge that I’m pretty much going to be financially secure no matter what happens trumps any counter-argument you can throw at me.
How to be “weird” (some ideas)
Here are some ways that some might see you as “weird,” pulled from a few minutes of thought. Do you recognize yourself in any of this?
Relationships:
- Getting married at a young age
- Not getting married ever
- Wanting multiple partners
- Wanting to be single
- Being asexual
- Not wanting kids
Working:
- Not having a defined career
- Moving to a different country/continent
- Retiring at 35
- Not retiring at 75
Lifestyle:
- Not wearing/eating any animal products
- Eating animals that you’ve hunted/killed
- Not drinking alcohol or other drugs
I’ll stop here, because I want you to think of a category where your “weird”-ness fits in.
Be “weird”
I’ve put the word “weird” in quotes in an ironic sense, as there’s absolutely nothing wrong with doing things differently. Others who may not understand this difference of yours may decide to use that word, without thinking of its pejorative sense.
But the hell with them. On one hand, every new great trend, every great idea, started from someone doing things differently.
On the other hand, do you even mass acceptance? Why not just be weird? Why not accept that you want to do things differently? After all, why would my way have to be your way? That would be weird.
But enough about me. How are you “weird”?
