Welcome, dear readers! Today, I want to share a deeply personal journey of mine about fitting in—or rather, not fitting in. This story spans from my school days to my current adventures in my 50s. Through my experiences, I hope to inspire you to embrace your uniqueness and find your own tribe, even if it doesn’t fit society’s conventional mold.

School Days: The Struggle to Fit In

From the moment I started school, it was clear that I didn’t fit in. Attending an all-girls school, I found myself at odds with the popular crowd. While they reveled in their social dominance, I was often the target of bullying simply because I refused to conform to their ways. Instead, I gravitated towards a small, tight-knit group of like-minded “notorious” girls who, like me, enjoyed defying the rules. We were a small crew, united by our creative streaks and a healthy dose of “meh” towards authority.

The Power of Friendship: Diverse Paths, Strong Bonds

This trend continued even after school. Guess what? Two of my closest friends are still these amazing, rule-bending women I met way back then. The coolest part? We come from totally different backgrounds; one’s Christian, the other’s Indian Muslim, and we’re scattered across the globe! It’s a beautiful testament to the fact that strong bonds can form over shared experiences, not religion or geography. These friendships taught me the importance of connecting with people who truly understand and accept you for who you are.

Breaking the Mold: Embracing Creativity

Speaking of defying expectations, remember how I told you about my creative streak? It wasn’t enough to just join the dance class; I had to choreograph my own pieces, ones that explored social issues and pushed boundaries.

While I didn’t pursue dance as a career, the confidence I gained from manifesting ideas into reality was invaluable. This experience showed me that it’s okay to be an outlier and to create your own path.

Thriving in the Media World

While many of my fellow graduates thrived in the corporate world and government agencies in their careers, I found my tribe at a media startup with a completely different definition of success, one that celebrated individuality and challenging the norm. In this environment, I thrived for being different and was never penalized for questioning the status quo.

Active Aging: Redefining Community

Here’s the thing: the concept of community in our golden years often gets a stereotypical makeover. Senior centers filled with bingo nights? Not my scene, and that’s okay. My true community isn’t defined by geography, but by shared values and a willingness to embrace the quirks.

Now, in my 50s, I continue to defy stereotypes. Many people my age find comfort in traditional community structures, however, I’ve realized that my tribe isn’t confined to a single geography. My community is scattered across the globe, and our connection transcends physical boundaries.

So, if you’re feeling like a square peg in a round hole, take a deep breath. You were never meant to fit in – you were born to stand out! Shine on, my friend, and remember: there’s a whole world out there waiting to celebrate your unique awesomeness.

Be Yourself, Own It

The point is, it’s perfectly okay to be different. In fact, it’s what makes you, you! Don’t waste your energy trying to fit into a box that wasn’t built for you. Embrace your quirks, find your tribe (even if they’re miles away!), and create a life that’s as unique and vibrant as you are.

P.S. Need help finding your tribe? Social media groups, online forums, even local art classes can be a great launchpad for finding your peeps.