This month, we’re promoting the benefits of tapping into your inner weirdo. Being unapologetically YOU, and bringing that unique essence to your work will help you stand out. There’s a lot of noise out there—especially with social media. Much of that noise sounds the same. Being a disruptor and proudly displaying what makes you weird gives you credibility. It shows people that you’re not desperate for acceptance and will create meaningful and exciting work. But what if you don’t know what makes you different? How do you discover your wonderful weirdness? I have a few easy steps to help.
“What I have is a malevolent curiosity. That’s what drives my need to write and what probably leads me to look at things a little askew. I do tend to take a different perspective from most people.” — David Bowie
Write It Down
A great way to unearth your unique characteristics is to write down things that make you—YOU. Start with your origin story; what things stand out in your memory? What are the things you loved growing up? What did you want to be when you were a kid? Brainstorm as much as you can. List out things like your favorite artists, bands, colors, foods, cities, books, etc. Did you ever get made fun of growing up? Write about that experience. When I went through this process, I went through all my old photos, journals and knick-knacks that I’d saved over the years. Not only was it fun to look back at my memories, but it also showed me that at the core, I hadn’t changed that much. The things that excited me as a young girl still excite me today. The reason that this is helpful is it connects you to your essence. Many people are so busy these days they forget who they are. They’re on autopilot and follow a script for how their life should look. This process gives you a chance to reconnect with yourself and possibly reignite some of your truest values.
Start A Side Project
Once you have established your unique interests and characteristics, it’s time to create something. For many, it may be hard to figure out how to inject this into their current work right away. An easy first step is a side project. We’ve toted the benefits of side projects many times on Glitter Guide, and that’s because they are a fantastic way to work on something you’re interested in without a lot of pressure. You may be surprised how much the side project will influence everything you do and eventually may become your primary focus.
Get Support
It’s not easy to wear your heart on your sleeve. You will undoubtedly face backlash, criticism and rejection. To build resilience and confidence—it’s essential to have a support network. Talk to your friends and family about your new journey. Find networks, clubs and like-minded individuals that you can share interests in and lean on when you’re feeling insecure. Even if it’s one person, it will make a huge difference in helping you follow your true path.
I know this all sounds simple when it’s laid out like this, and the truth is, this isn’t something that comes naturally to most. We’re programmed to follow the social norms and to want acceptance. You don’t have to become the next Lady Gaga or David Bowie. You just need to tap into your eccentricity and then practice wearing it proudly. With time and practice, it will be easier, and you’ll wonder how you ever did anything without it.
