YOU ARE DIFFERENT!
We are all unique. Various qualities set us apart. The most commonly thought of being religion, race, sexuality, culture and socioeconomic class. Consider other significant differences: what you eat, what you believe, variability in mental health, how you cope, or the numerous skills/talents & interests that people have. And let’s not leave out the importance of neurodiversity - neurological differences such as autism, ADHD, Tourette’s, synesthesia, dyslexia and other learning or developmental differences.
How do you feel about being different? Some people prefer to blend in and go unnoticed. Others go out of their way to point out their differences to others. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ in this. Being different can take on positive and negative reactions, depending on where you are in life or the situations you are in at the moment.
While all of us are unique, we also have many similarities. We have strong opinions and emotions. We fail, get hurt, hold on to anger, face fears, experience shyness, have flaws, and doubt ourselves. We are human.
THE BEAUTY OF BEING DIFFERENT
· Creativity – you tend to think up solutions that others might not have come up with.
· Decision-making – you have fewer regrets when choosing what you want or what feels right.
· Sets you apart – in meeting new people, interviews, and applications. Your individuality shines.
· Appreciate diversity – you tend to be more open-minded and flexible. You are accepting of others.
· Reduced stress – you can just be yourself. It can be exhausting trying to maintain a certain image in order to please those around you. You are less likely to give into peer pressure.
Being different allows you to be YOU; not trying to change yourself to fit in or appear ‘normal’. Being normal is an expectation to conform to a standard set of ideas passed on to us by family, friends, community, culture, media and the larger society.
BE YOU – BE DIFFERENT
o Embrace your differences. Dare to live from a REAL place within. Allow your actions and words to correspond with your beliefs and values. Be grateful for who you are.
o Accept that you are irreplaceable. Lean into your originality and acknowledge that you are not someone else. Share your differences with others so that they can better appreciate you.
o Educate others. When people have questions, take the opportunity to share, explore and discuss with them. It can be tiring, so do it when you have the energy and interest. If they are genuinely curious and wanting to learn, it can feel great.
o Stay open. Listen, observe and be curious in others. Their differences are to be celebrated as well.
o Find others who truly “get” you – those who think you’re awesome because of who you are.
o Learn to let go. If some people judge, criticize, dismiss, condemn or undervalue you – let them go. They are not interested in you. They’re attached to tearing you down due to their own insecurities and ignorance.