What Makes You YOU?
Humans are pack animals. Sexy way to start a blog post, right? But, it’s true. Just like sheep or lemmings, our DNA is dialed in to want to be part of a bigger group. To be part of the crowd.
While this is awesome and beneficial in so many ways, it can also stunt us in other ways. Think back to middle school. How humiliating it could feel if you were the only one of your friends without that Lisa Frank notebook. Or the only kid with freckles across your nose. Or - heaven forbid, the only person in the lunchroom who actually liked the cardboard-textured pizza on Fridays.
Of course, now that we’re adults, we’ve got a little more wisdom on our side. We’ve heard that it’s actually our individuality that really makes us sparkle. We’ve read all the motivational quotes and listened to all the podcasts about the magic of being ourselves. We’ve seen that it’s the people who march to the beat of their own drums that are standing out and making big waves in the world.
But it’s one thing to know or learn about something, and quite another thing to put it into practice. When was the last time you questioned your own individuality? When was the last time you caught yourself trying to “fit in” in a situation that maybe didn’t resonate with you? How long has it been since you’ve really identified what makes you stand out? Maybe you’ve never even formally identified that?
So this week in your journaling, it’s all about what makes you YOU.
I invite you to explore what makes you stand out from the crowd. What quirks, nuances, and preferences do you have that help to create the beautiful, unique, magical person that you are? Own the fact that you like that cardboard pizza. Cherish your goofy laugh, the way you like ice cubes in your wine, or the fact that Disney cartoons make you cry (you’re not alone.)
Really love on your quirks. Especially when they’re things that may drive other people crazy or cause strange looks, they’re a part of your building blocks. As pack animals, our knee-jerk reaction is to judge or question things outside of the “norm” of the pack. But in reality, it’s exactly those things that you should be applauded for.
Use this week as an opportunity to be unapologetic about each of those things. Practice being bold in standing out in your own authentic way. Try on what it feels like to say “yes” when the rest of the crowd says “no.” To dance when everyone else is sitting, or to retreat when everyone else is still chatting.
Own whatever makes you you.