I already know I’m going to get in trouble for the title of this post, but bear with me. I’m trying to find a delicate balance between talking shit and being honest, which tbh is more often than not these days. Maybe it’s quarantine, maybe it’s me getting older, but I’m so bored of “Basic bitches.”

OK, here’s where I want to clarify. I have many beautiful and wonderful friends who identify as “basic,” and I know this because an IG poll told me so. And honestly, I was a little surprised by who qualified themselves as “basic,” but I digress. For the purpose of this post, when I talk about basic bitches, I’m not talking about people who get excited about pumpkin spice lattes. Here’s the thing, I fully believe that as long as you are living your life the way you want to and surrounding yourself with people and things that make you happy, good on you. Liking rosé doesn’t make you basic if you really think it’s delicious (and I do).

What I want to encourage with this post is the joy of being a weirdo. Of being someone who explores and tries new things rather than just accepting things at face value because it’s easier than challenging the status quo. We’re all conditioned to conform and fit in with the cookie-cutter mold. I can’t tell you how many times I’ll be scrolling Pinterest and go to save something only to pause. I ask myself, do I actually like this living room I’m about to pin? Or am I saving it because it’s trendy and it’s what passes as IG-friendly décor? Try it the next time you’re shopping or perusing Pinterest and see what you find. Are you conditioned to like and save the same beige shit as everyone else? P.S. If you like beige, more power to you, just check yourself to make sure it’s really your favorite.

So how do we embrace our inner weirdo and avoid the pitfalls of being a basic bitch? I have a few suggestions.

Expand your social circle

We’ve all seen that meme that floats around the internet of all the girls standing in a line with the exact same hair wearing their own variation of the Han Solo vest and jeans combo and brown knee-high boots, right? There’s power in sisterhood, for sure. But when you stick around the same group of people and don’t expand your social circle, you miss out on diversity, new ideas and new thoughts. The world is packed full of fascinating, unique people who will inspire you if you just give them a chance.

Mood board your preferences

I always suggest people do this when they’re feeling stuck on a design or branding concept, but it works here as well. Go on Pinterest and just start pulling imagery that catches your eye. Don’t think about it too much. As you scroll, you’ll realize pretty quickly when something genuinely stops you because your brain finds it aesthetically pleasing. Compile your images into a mood board (I like to use Canva) and start noting the similarities. Are you surprised how much yellow you pinned when you swore your favorite color was pink? Did you find that you really like a certain vibe or style of clothing? Doing a mood board just for fun can help you get in touch with what truly makes your synapses fire. I think too many of us skip this crucial step and forget to tune inward before making any decisions or purchases.

Set big goals

The best way to let your inner freak flag fly is to set some big, lofty goals. I’m talking pie-in-the-sky dreams. And then you chase after them with every fiber of your being. Because I promise you this is what sets the weirdos apart from the basic bitches. Again, before you come to my house with a pitchfork, let me repeat, if “basic” is your jam, more power to you. To each their own, there is no wrong way to be as long as you’re happy and who you are doesn’t hurt anyone else (aka a serial killer). But if you are someone who feels more drawn to the weirdos and wants to let that uniqueness shine, it’s time to set some big goals. The world is all about balance. We need “worker bees” as I like to call them, just as much as we need charismatic leaders. The system doesn’t run without the other. But don’t be afraid of your own potential. Setting goals is terrifying because it means you’re going to attempt something you could potentially fail at, and you’re letting everyone know that. But if we don’t set big goals, we never achieve big things. Most people don’t have massive fortune and growth just dropped in their lap. It takes grit and work and a whole lot of weirdness to pursue a new dream.

I hope if you’re reading this you don’t feel offended. Like I said, I truly believe there’s nothing wrong with being basic, just like there’s nothing wrong with being weird. It’s a delicate ecosystem we live in and there’s no right or wrong way to be. But for all my fellow weirdos out there, I hope you are inspired to seek out the unknown, never stop learning and figure out what brings your weirdo heart joy.