Discussion Feeling different to everyone else.

[Forever Sleep]

I imagine most people have gone or are going through this. Especially since so many suffer with social anxiety here.

Does it make you wonder though- What is normal? Are there even people out there who just feel 'normal'? Perhaps the 'normal' thing is not to feel so awkward that you feel different to begin with.

If you did or do feel different though, did/ do you embrace that strangeness? Do you like the idea of being eccentric maybe or, not a 'sheeple? Or, has it always only hurt to feel ostracized?

I've had times where I both felt embarassed about it but, also embraced it. A bit like romantic hopes- when I look at the real life version. Real life couples, real life popular people in the in- crowds- it's not like I really want to be them either so, I have to question if I am genuinely that envious. I'm not sure the reality of it would actually suit me. How about you?

 

[Pluto]

 

[JoeProf]

My take is bit simpler. If it happened to me then it is normal. I mean like thoughts or experiences. And it is not stopping me or hurting me in some way then it is normal and it probably happened to lots of others.

Unnormal things don't happen often. So the percentage of you being the odd one out is low?

I am not putting it in the best way but that's what I think.

 

[lovestained]

sometimes i pride myself in thinking Differently to 'normal' people .. but they seem a lot happier too

 

[Rust]

I absolutely agonise over this issue.

It's not being different that bothers me. It's more the lack of acceptance and the judgement that'll follow. Most people are good natured, but they'll still say stuff like "oh wow, he's showing character development" or something similar just because I did a "normal" thing.

That's not to say it's all bad. Some people are curious and want to learn more about me (and maybe fix me). Unfortunately, being a bit socially recluse makes this a bit exhausting.

I understand that most people have their quirks. I guess it's just about the company you keep and whether they'll be accepting.

 

[Forever Sleep]

Most people are good natured, but they'll still say stuff like "oh wow, he's showing character development" or something similar just because I did a "normal" thing.

That would really annoy me too. That's so patronising. Maybe they mean well but, if they thought about it properly, I doubt they would say it like that.

 

[Rust]

That would really annoy me too. That's so patronising. Maybe they mean well but, if they thought about it properly, I doubt they would say it like that.

In the context, it was spontaneous, so you're right in that they didn't think about what they were saying. Fortunately, I know the person, so I know that they didn't mean to say it in that way. But I appreciate you agreeing with me. A number of comments like that, even if unintentional, can get to a person eventually.