Super powers

Generally people like to be part of things- the idea of belonging is seen as an important part of our social development. From a very early age we are encouraged to be ‘team players’ and to ‘get involved’. It’s interesting then that being part of any scene can also entirely set you back.

Not fitting in is still seen as the worst failing of all, even though it tends to be the more eccentric among us that frequently change the world. Being an outsider is a frightening concept, a kind of social death- and I’m not really talking about the cool confident outsiders, who don’t really exist anyway. I mean the proper bona fide weirdos, those of us who stutter or are shy, have brilliant ideas but need help to express them.

Insecurity is a propellant. It’s obviously how humans build good things, yet it’s easy to forget when someone dazzles you with their carefully crafted self-assurance. Even as a writer or artist you are expected to be relatable, to always make the masterpiece. But what if we forgot all about that? Surely by definition true innovation is born from ideas that are totally un-relatable. Eccentricity is a positive attribute, even if it feels off or wonky at times.

Remember: Not everybody is going to like what you make, and that’s OK. 

Ironically, it’s often the cult of belonging that makes us feel lonely- it can be stifling. How can we become more comfortable with our strangenesses unless we forgive them in others? We must think of them as superpowers.