Embrace your weirdness
Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. – Mark Twain
Sing it, Mark.
It used to bug me when people called me weird. They called me that when I went to live 4,000 miles away from home, just to be closer to my favorite basketball team. They called me that when I went vegetarian, and then vegan. Nowadays I get called weird for wearing strange shoes, for asking uncomfortable questions, and for owning only what I can carry.
I used to get defensive and argue with the critics.
No no no, I’m not weird at all! Let me explain… but I don’t mind being called weird anymore. I’ve actually come to love it.
See, I’ve come to realize just how much normal sucks. I’d much rather be weird, because normal people don’t live exceptional lives; they’re not the ones living up to their potential and making an impact. They’re too busy trying not to be weird, too busy being afraid to stand out, to truly make a difference in the world.
The good kind of weird
Not all weird is good. Look up some synonyms for the word and you’ll find awful, creepy and grotesque right alongside awe-inspiring, supernatural and uncanny.
I try not to be weird just for the sake of it. That’s the bad kind of weird. Good weird serves a purpose.
Different is better when it is more effective or more fun. – Tim Ferriss
If you can do something unorthodox to improve your life (without compromising your values), then go for it. Don’t let normal people talk you down.
Normal is scary
Normal people dislike weirdness because it’s unfamiliar, and that makes it scary. But I consider normality to be the real terror.
In my manifesto I tell the story of a fictional chap named Seamus, a representative of normality. He resents getting out of bed every morning, eats crappy food, struggles through his 9-to-5 and spends every evening in front of the TV. In the United States, normal is earning less than $40,000 a year, enduring a soul-crushing job, being overweight, growing up in a broken home and having thousands of dollars in credit card debt.
That’s what passes for normal nowadays, and it scares the hell out of me. I’ll take weird over that any day.
Why I’m weird
I’m weird because I’m vegan. Normal people aren’t willing to experiment with their diet, and never give much thought to where their food comes from.
I’m weird because I talk to strangers. Normal people keep their guard up, conditioned to believe that every new person could be a thief, cheat or rapist.
I’m weird because I don’t watch television. Normal people sit watching it mindlessly, several hours at a time.
I’m weird because I love to work but don’t want a job. Normal people want a job but hate to work.
I’m weird because I exercise every day. Normal people think that’s excessive.
I’m weird because I own just 57 things. Normal people buy “storage solutions” and become slaves to their possessions.
I’m weird because I go all in to make my dreams a reality. Normal people opt to wait until they win the lotto.
Being weird in Ireland
I was going to write here about how it’s tough being weird in Ireland, and how I can’t ever see myself living long-term in this country. I was going to make a joke about inner conflict, how somewhere inside of me there’s a weird dude doing battle with a leprechaun (oh look, I made that joke anyway).
I just realized though that the map I’ve been using no longer matches the territory. It was fairly easy being weird back in New Orleans. Folks there are pretty open-minded. I was expecting more resistance in Ireland. Growing up here, I knew it to be a fairly begrudging place, where standouts are traditionally mocked and ostracised. Before moving back, I accepted that I may have to endure a few months of ridicule and isolation.
I’ve been home for two months now though, and I can’t say I’ve had many problems. I’ve made good friends easily and feel more a part of the Cork community with each passing day. Sure, Ireland has undergone a significant change in recent years, what with the recession and everything, but I believe the big difference in my experience living here now vs. back in 2007 is internal rather than external. I’ve accepted and even embraced my weirdness, and everyone around me seems to have followed suit.
Chalk one up for your beliefs shaping your reality.
That said, I still plan to travel for the next 3-5 years. Lots more world out there
to see 
.
You’re such a weirdo
What makes you weird? Have you been embracing that weirdness, or keeping a lid on it for fear of what other people will think? I’d encourage you to let it out.
Remember, the real thing to be afraid of is being normal like everyone else. Nobody remembers mediocrity. Weirdos change the world.
I used to be the same, I lived in denial of my autism and defended my weird interests. A few years back I used to be really in to Model Engineering. What other 16 year old’s make steam engines as a hobby :p
Anyway, my view changed. I now embrace autism, self identifying as an autistic cyborg. Your right, normality is scary, not weirdness.
Amazing how it changes, isn’t it? Back in school we were all terrified of being weird. Now we’re all terrified of being normal! Man, if I could get a do-over of my school days I’d go all out and be the weirdest kid of all-time
You complete and utter weirdo Niall lol
Interesting blogpost
Haha, right back at you Emmett! Making money working for yourself and doing what you love? That’s just weird, man
Great quotes! and great writeup. Thanks!
Love it. Ever heard “you’re sucha dork?” Haha, I’ve definitely gotten that one! Feels to me that this post is also a lot about embracing what really interests you as a person, and building your self-confidence around what you really love. Confidence plays a large part in one’s happiness, which is why I think this is such a great post.
Also Niall, you’ve got me trying out vegetarianism! I’m thinking I’ll try and just do the period where I try it out, give it a go, and see if I like it. I didn’t really eat meat before that much anyway, so I decided why not go for it and try to make the full push towards being vegetarian. Oh, got another story to tell you, I’ll send it to you via your contact page
Thanks, Darshan. Good luck with your veg trial. Even if it doesn’t prove sustainable for you, I expect that you’ll learn some beneficial things from the experiment.
Sometimes I am told that I am weird but mostly I am told that I am crazy.
And I agree with it.
So for long period when I hear “You are crazy” I calmly reply “Yes, I know it!”
A new joke evolved that 2 characteristics I hear about myself most times are that I am an attaboy and that I am crazy.
Recently I expressed my craziness in spending one week in America then moving for less than a week to Africa and then spending more than a month in Asia. Crazy roundaworld trip.
Since I came back I drove my car without a widescreen (wiper) since had broken for 3rd time this half a year.
I drove 300+ km after I finally repaired it today in rainfalls, snowfalls and dirty roads.
Yes, it’s dangerous but when I saw nothing I just stopped and cleared my windshield.
Sometimes after one minute of driving but I don’t matter. Safety is more important.
Not paying attention to others opinion make you do many weird and crazy things in life.
Confessing you are crazy has its own beauty
Haha, sometimes when someone learns of one of my quirks and calls me crazy I’ll give them a smile and respond, “You have no idea.”
Your trip sounds awesome, btw. Can’t wait to take off traveling myself
Hahaha, I love it.
I’m a total weirdo… for growing my hair out to my hips, then deciding on a whim to chop it all off asymmetrically. For deciding that fashion and philosophy are not mutually exclusive. For asking questions that make people uncomfortable. For getting too easily distracted by cats. & Most of all, dropping out of art school to pursue revolution on the web. Between my track record + people’s openmindedness here, I haven’t gotten *too* much resistance, but the other day someone was like, why don’t you just wait and graduate? And I said simply: “because I don’t want to.”
And then I Definitely got a weird look, haha.
I also love what you say about “the map I’ve been using no longer matches the territory.” Sometimes being weird all the time makes me defensive. And then I find that there’s not much to actually defend against
Yes! I’m the same. Sometimes I find myself expecting resistance and then I’m a little surprised when there is none. Some folks are much more open-minded than others.
Keep on being weird, Tessa!
Btw, Niall… have you ever thought about why we digital nomads are all so “weird,” yet have such *normal* looking blogs with the same structures?
Haha, good point. I’ll admit that I took a lot of inspiration for my blog design from Far Beyond the Stars. In general I think minimalists go for the clean and uncluttered look, while the lifestyle designers have the 4HWW feel going on with their blogs. Colin Wright is a good example of someone who came up with a design all his own.
Hey Niall,
Well, I don’t consider myself weird I consider myself unique. NO ONE would ever say that I’m normal and I guess from time to time I have been called weird but just because people are different than most doesn’t make them weird. Which is why I inherited the title of “unique”. So, I’m sticking with that one for sure.
Thanks for sharing this with us. Nice to hear how others view themselves or maybe how others view them… Either way, I think you’re alright in my book!
Adrienne
Thanks, Adrienne. Whether we call it being weird or being unique, it’s really all about being yourself at the end of the day
Adrienne
Didn’t you mean to say “for sure, for sure”?
Diddle aye ta tee ta toe
Michael and I get “the look” all the time when we discuss our parenting style. When we say we plan to breastfeed for at least two years, we get “the look”. When we say we plan to homeschool, we get “the look”. When we talk about the benefits of co-sleeping, we get “the look”. It goes on.
It isn’t easy. We have had to battle with our parents several times over why we don’t just leave our daughter in someone else’s care, or why I want to be a stay-at-home-mom. We get “the look” when we refuse bottled water, or when we forgo something because it has too much packaging. Or when we say we will buy something secondhand, or when we get upset that someone goes over our heads and buys us something without our permission.
We have specific standards for our lives and we have no interest in breaking them. When the world pushes us, our response is simple: we give them “the look” and enjoy the benefits of out weirdness. As you can readily attest, its way more fun on our side of the norm.
Absolutely, Nada. I love that you turn it around and give “normal” people “the look.” Brilliant!
I like the blog! especially this section of embracing your weirdness. Everyone is weird in their own way. I don’t believe there is such a thing as a normal human being. We’re all completely different. No two people are the same. The only difference between a “weirdo” and a “normal” person is that the “weirdo” isn’t afraid to openly be who they are. If a “normal” person really opened up and showed their true self I bet they’d be fantastically weird, I’m sure of it! and we’d all get along like one big happy family
Nice perspective, Carol. I guess you could say that there are weird people, and closet weird people
Niall…I’ve always been weird and consider it a compliment when people indicate it. You know, eccentric, strange, unique, idealist, pioneer, risk taker, won’t settle down, et al.
To know that we are not alone. We are the people that change the world and help other’s embrace a new idea by testing the water. How right you are that normal people don’t change the world…exceptional people do!
Let’s get to it…keep up the good weirdness!
Damn right, Stephen! Thanks for the comment.
‘Lo dere
I found your name among the other weiros on Adrienne’s site. Couldn’resist the title, and just had to pay you a visit. (That’s the only payment you’re gettin’ tho’).
Well den Neill –
Back in the day, I was a senior advertising manager at British Airways (worked me way up from accounts clerk, hope you’re impressed). Anyroad, I got a phone call from an ex-girlfriend. She said she had a friend who wanted to know about advertising, and would I come and talk to her. At the cost of a free meal I agreed, and made my way over straight from work.
Now this girl told me later that she was expecting a sharp suit, compulsory red yuppy (that dates me) tie, and a Porsche. What she got was a long haired, bearded bloke, wearing a grey jumpsuit (my own design), bright red – and I mean RED boots, an earring (the only one sported by a BA manager anywhere), and odd socks – one fluorescent green, the other fluorescent orange. But this was just me being me.
Regardless of that, we “got on very well” (nudge nudge), and she visited my hovel for a ‘meal’.
There she discovered that my lounge wall had a mural airbrushed form a socket covering the wall with leaves, fairies, small animals and hidden characters. At the bottom of the stairs was a mock red phone box (where the phone lived), and a 3D rainbow up the staircase wall. No wonder I was lonely!!
Long story short – she was drop dead gorgeous – we married in Australia – had three beautiful daughters – traveled the world – now in the throws of divorce.
I should have paid more attention. When she moved in, the first things to go were the mural and phone box, and she hated my odd socks. Apparently they gave out the wrong message.
Why the socks. Quite simply they cheered me up. I’m now 62, and as she likes ‘smart, aggressive, business-like people’, I’ve regrown my hair back to past the shoulder. I need to find ME again.
Oh, my other weirdness – I speak to Irish people like they are equals.
Top o’ the mornin’ to ya pal.
Alan
PS. I ‘Liked’ your Facebook, but yer Twitter thing ain’t working proper.
PPS. Love your blog, and whether you like it or not, I’ll be back.
Wow, great story Alan. Thanks for sharing. I might be a little too independent and unwilling to compromise when it comes to relationships. I really like being able to do what I want, when I want, without having to answer to anyone. A girl insisting I change my socks would probably be a deal-breaker for me… but then, you did say she was drop-dead gorgeous… that would certainly help sway me
Good luck with the search for you again. I doubt you’ll have to look too far. Oodles of personality in that comment!
I'm going to remember that one. Now if I could just find some work that I'm good at, I'd be all set!
Niall,
As usual, I enjoyed your article very much! You are an inspiration to many!