I’m Weird and Proud of That
By Marion
I AM EMPOWERED & POISED BECAUSE I’M WEIRD
When I was 14, I had a crush on one of my friends. I didn’t tell him, but I told a close friend we had in common. One evening, as she stayed over, she called him and asked him what he thought about me - on speakerphone. His answer: Marion? I don’t know… She’s weird.
I couldn’t pretend it didn’t hurt me. Being called weird at this age, when you’re trying to define yourself, to fit in, to be part of the cool kids - is one of the most difficult things that can happen.
At 14 years old, I was healthy, had a roof over my head, food on my table and a family around me. I was also doing (very) well at school, which would lead me to attend very good schools and get fancy degrees. But I couldn’t see that, because, well, I was 14.
Everything that seemed to matter to me was: was I a part of the popular kids? Not because I wanted to - they were kids, focusing on things that didn’t interest me, and creating drama over their life for no reason. But I cared anyways because I thought I had to. I was worried about fitting in.
When you think about it, the same goes for « adulthood ». Quotes cause I’m not sure I believe in this concept. Some 8 years old kids are more mature than 56 years old grown-ups.
You see, the pattern repeats itself. When you get older, you also feel like you need to follow what most people are doing. Getting a degree, landing a high-paying job, buying a house, founding a family, getting a dog (or a cat) and going on holidays once - or maybe twice - a year.
But just like the 14 years-old teen drama didn’t attract me, this life doesn’t attract me neither. The difference is that I learnt in the process (of getting older) that I don’t care anymore. Well - truth be told, I still care a little, but less and less with time.
I’ve learnt to value my own opinion over other people’s one. I’ve learnt that it’s okay to not want a 9-to-5 and not follow the rules. A French rapper (Orelsan) said: « Don’t listen to adults, they follow the rules without knowing the game ». And I think it’s true.
How many people follow some imaginary rules because they think it’s what they’re supposed to do? We’ve been sold a dream of a happy life (by society, media, our family even) that doesn’t appeal to me - and that appeals to less and less people.
So instead, I decided to have my own business while traveling the world. Few people in my social circles understand it. It’s okay - I made some new friends who are business owners / travelers.
But then - I discovered that it was pretty much like high school all over again: popular peeps (aka online gurus) telling you they’ve uncovered the magic 5 steps formula to be successful. Debating over ridiculous things. Saying you can’t be that AND that, you have to choose.
It’s the same for everything, for every field, for every area of your life.
People are going to repeat to you (and themselves) that you have to do this and that and blablabla.
Don’t listen. Instead, listen to the voice within you. Follow your guts, your intuition, do (and be!) what feels right. And if that means that people call you weird - be proud of it.
They might not understand you, or even like you, but that’s okay.
That’s not their job.
That’s your job.
Learn about yourself. Get curious about your feelings. Listen to this voice you’ve called « crazy », but which has been calling you to explore new territories (both literally and metaphorically).
Be weird. But be the weird you. So here is to our weirdness, to explore, and to do whatever the heck you want - always.
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