This is a post that I think almost everyone from MSA, or any form of selective school can relate to. What’s relatable is that we’ve all grown up labeled “weird” or just different due to our niche interests or style or taste in fashion or even relationships. I know that in some places mostly up north the games I’m into and the people I like, and fashion probably wouldn’t be as ridiculed but here in the bible belt. If I’m my true self I come off as some freak. I’ve gone through so many fazes in life and the one I always come back to is “emo” or “alternative” but it is what makes me most comfortable! I have been forced to dress like a “normal girl” and I have even tried to embrace it myself to trick my brain into saying I like it but that’s just not the case. I love rough tattoos I love the color black, and I love spiky silver jewelry. I love who I love, and I am so ashamed that I now live in a world where for four years or more marrying someone I love may be made illegal. I think I made this blog because this new election has opened my eyes more on what is happening politically. Before and I’m embarrassed to admit it but I didn’t care much for who our president was because it didn’t affect me. Now though it does, and so naturally as selfish humans are I now care, and I care a lot. I’ve been told no and to not like certain things all my life and not even in a mean way in a way of my parents trying to shield me from being bullied. Though I draw the line at someone saying no to who I love. Because that’s not something I can or will change. It’s not something anyone can change it’s not like a clothing article that I can just shrug off and put back in the closet. Trust me I’ve tried and for years from lying and dating men to try and fill the void to lying to my parents and others when they asked what gender I’m dating. Though I say all of this because it ties into the aspect of being “weird” because it is “different” and people characterize weird as anything that is outside of the common mold. So the thing I say is why should we hide? Why should we put on an article of clothing we secretly hate, why should we lie about who we like, why should we not draw or write about things we are interested in. The answer is that we should do all these things. Like so what I may be different but what great inventor or artist or speaker was ever common? None of them fit the mold and that’s what made them great so that’s just my ten cents about being “weird”.
I love this post! I think it’s so difficult to live in an environment that stifles your personality and it’s so refreshing to see someone else articulating those exact thoughts
I will always believe in individuality and it’s always heartbreaking to think about not being able to live a life someone really wants. I love the way you talk about this, and the subject always makes me a little sad, but it has to be talked about!
I love that this blog brings awareness to the issue a lot of us face in the south. I often see parents or adult figures trying to shape us into ‘normal people’ because they fear we won’t be accepted the way we are.