Embrace your weird.
By Kaitlin Kaiser — Written on May 24, 2019
We have all had this moment when spending time with our friends. It starts with everyone laughing and joking around until then something happens and the energy in the room stalls. You can’t put your finger on what it is, but you know something weird started the minute you finished talking.
Later in the evening, you hear your friends laughing about you behind your back, saying what a weirdo you are. Laughing about how awkward you just made that moment for everyone.
You think to yourself, “I wasn’t being awkward, I thought that was hilarious.”
People — especially our friends — have a way of cutting us down when we least expect them to. Sometimes it's easy for people in a group setting to see this moment where we aren’t acting just like the people around us, and they use it as an opportunity to shun that type of behavior.
People have an urge to look down and away when things aren't "normal". My advice to you: Don't let them put you down. Do not let them look away. Don't let anyone force you into submission or conformity, especially not for the comfort of the already conformed.
They want you to be cowardly, as they are cowardly. They could never dance on a table, with no regard to their own appeal, much less even look upon while you do it.
Be weird and make them stare. If they need to scurry to the corner to talk about you, then that’s where they will be, in the corner, watching you take center stage.
The following are reassuring quotes about being weird that will help you remember to stay true to who you are:
1. Make sure your ideas are your own, and not a tool used to blend in.
“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” — Mark Twain
2. The worst people are the best people.
“Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.” — Mark Twain
3. Being yourself is a celebration of everyday.
“You make each day special a special day. You know how, by just your being you.” — Mr. Fred Rodgers
4. There is a reason you are here, so make sure to be yourself.
“The greatest gift you ever give is your honest self.” — Mr. Fred Rodgers
5. Be yourself and mean it.
“Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive that is you-er than you!” — Dr. Seuss
6. We are happiest when we love someone who knows our truest self.
“We are all a little weird, and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone who’s weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutual weirdness and call it love.” — Dr. Seuss
7. Don’t squelch the fire of your difference.
“Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” — Dr. Seuss
8. Embrace your differences.
“So what? You’re another person so of course you look different. What do you need to be ashamed for?” — Yana Toboso
9. Reality is overrated.
“Reality is something you rise above.” — Liza Minnelli
10. Don’t be afraid of your own magic.
“Why don’t I just step out, and slip into something a little more spectacular?” — Liberace
11. You are amazing.
“Look deep within yourself, and you’ll find something amazing.” — Michael Jackson
12. You can’t put magic in a cage.
“You can cage a songbird, but you can’t make her sing. You can cage a free bird, but you have to clip her wings.” — Elton John
13. Channeling your weirdness, will bring you great success.
“The great thing about rock and roll is that someone like me can be a star.” — Elton John
14. Leave everyone guessing.
“A wise man once said, “April fools is for armatures, you NEVER need an excuse to mess with someone’s head.” — Weird Al Yankovic
15. Love the weirdos, they’ll love you back.
“It’s a curious thought, but it’s only when you see people looking ridiculous, that you realize just how much you love them.” — Agatha Christie
16. Your weirdness can change the world.
“I don’t mind being called a weirdo. There are a lot of people in hip-hop who are probably never going to do what I do. But, just by being myself, I end up touching a lot more people who might not have paid much attention to a female rapper.” — Nikki Minaj
17. Don’t worry about what you look like.
“There’s power in looking silly and not caring that you do.” — Amy Poehler
18. Nourish every weird corner of yourself.
“While we have the gift of life, it seems to me the only tragedy is to allow part of us to die- whether it is our spirt, our creativity or our glorious uniqueness.” — Gilda Radner
19. Don’t lose yourself in love.
“I can always be distracted by love, but eventually I get horny for my creativity”. — Gilda Radner
20. Feel your life, don’t just see it.
“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” — Oscar Wilde
21. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes
“Keep trying, stay humble, trust your instincts. Most importantly, act. When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” — Yogi Barre
22. Say what you mean.
“Nobody goes there anymore, its too crowded” — Yogi Barre
23. There is importance in direction.
“You’ve got to be very careful if you don’t know where you’re going, because you might end up there” — Yogi Barre
24. There is power in difference.
“What makes you different or weird, that’s your strength.” — Meryl Streep
25. Be proud of your colors.
“The formula of happiness and success is being actually yourself, in the most vivid possible way you can.” — Meryl Streep
26. Imagination is the start of everything.
“Anything you can imagine, you can create” — Oprah Winfrey
27. Be silly.
“Just go up to somebody on the street and say, “You’re it!” and then run away” — Ellen DeGeneres
If you're searching for the best quotes and memes to share with the people you love (or just want to feel inspired yourself) ... look no further! From the sweetest love quotes, inspirational sayings, and hilarious friendship truths, we've got you covered.
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Kaitlin Kaiser is a writer who covers astrology, pop culture and relationship topics.