Be Weird!

Many times in my life I didn’t join in on fun with others because I thought it was “weird” or those people were weird. I didn’t want to look weird. I didn’t want to embarrass myself. I didn’t want to look silly. I didn’t want people noticing or judging me! I was so damn judgmental of what was weird. In reality, I really was different and didn’t like it. I had mental illness and I was uncomfortable in my own skin. I didn’t like myself. I didn’t love myself. I missed out on so much.

Some people will enter their 50s or more and suffer with depression, anxiety and regret because of the choices they made or didn’t make. They feel like they wasted their years. It took me many years to learn to not care what others think about the way I walk, talk, dress, eat, sleep, or live my life. Live your life on your terms. Get in touch with your inner freak! We’re all different and special, and weird in some quirky way. Get over it and get on with your life!

I admit I was also a very shy, introverted and ultra conservative person! I had numerous mental disorders as well. I didn’t want to “look” crazy or scare people. I was just a mess! And here’s the thing that is most heartbreaking is allowing what we perceive someone else to be thinking about us to dictate our behavior. In my many years of living, I had to learn to take some huge risks in order to free myself from fears and limiting behavior. I am in the position now to teach my adult children how to embrace life and enjoy it’s beauty no matter what anyone thinks.

Go ahead and hug a tree even if it looks weird. Wear those clothes that look odd or some think are “weird.” Look ridiculous! Dance, laugh and have a jolly old time. If you’re going out in public and it’s scary for you, rehearse at home how you’re going to behave in public. I used to do that with my kids when they were little before we went to the store. We talked about where we were going, what they were going to do (like hold on to the cart, stay with me, not beg for things, use their inside voices, etc…). I had to do it to help keep me focused on what was necessary and to make sure I had their cooperation.

Spend time getting comfortable in your own skin. Embrace the weirdness! Nowadays, I look in the mirror and just laugh at myself and the things I used to be so afraid of. I’m defintely weird, too! I do not fit the “norm” whatever that may be and I’m okay with it! I love me and accept me just the way I am. I still practice how I am going to be when I go out. I have a tendency to be quiet and shy. I think about what I’m going to say, how I’m going to present myelf and be friendly. It helps to practice it with safe people, too, like a grocery clerk. Love yourself and share your light with the world!