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Feeling Normal In a Weird World

For the longest time I believed and expressed the fact that I was weird. I loved getting messy, collecting trinkets from antique stores and little shops, playing quest filled video games, writing stories I'd never finish, and singing randomly wherever I went. The world would look at me with confusion and even sometimes disdain but I kept trekking forward. After a while when I realized the majority of the world couldn't process my behavior I began to call myself weird. 

At first I glowed at the fact that I was weird. People would invite me into their worlds and I wouldn't go and somehow deep down I felt better for being set apart. After years of this it began to feel lonely. I had family, sure, but they didn't feel like the friends I so desperately wanted. Inevitably I began to dip my toes into the habits and nature of the world. I dressed up and it felt good to look my best. I drank coffee and it made me sophisticated to have this magic substance that never got drank but sat in my hand. Being young isn't a crime. After coffee it was staying out late to hang out. The hanging out turned into parties. Boyfriends became a NECESSITY. To keep them you had to be just the right girl. It all started to spiral and after 10 long years...I woke up. 

The world loved me. The only problem was I couldn't stand me. I always woke up feeling guilty and empty. I also had this overwhelming feeling that my body was deteriorating. What had started out as being "young" slowly faded into being aloof, dangerous, and soul depleting. I needed a change. So i cleaned house, so to speak. I got rid of all of the things that I didn't like or that required me to do things I didn't like. I tried new things because I had forgotten all of the weird I so loved. 

It's been six months and I am finally becoming someone I love. I can tell you a few hobbies that I like to do. I can stand to be around myself alone for extended periods of time and I like it that way. I've dealt with some unhealthy brain processes and am retraining my brain to deal with situations I don't like. Every emotional battle I conquer brings me more confidence. I am transforming and can FINALLY see a difference. 

The world has started to ignore me again. I've realized it's because my lifestyle makes people feel uncomfortable about their own. I've also realized there's nothing I can do to make it better. I just need to be me. Kind. Loving. Forgiving. Joyful. Fun-loving. The ones who stay are my people. I am slowly gaining people. I have my very first game night planned and there will be just games! No alcohol, drugs, or anything else that makes me anxious. It's truly exciting. It took me 6 months to gain a real friend. Most of that battle was accepting the fact that they wouldn't abandon me, get tired of me, or try to change my mind. I felt comfortable. I could sit on the couch and not have to have a plan of escape, a way out, or a sister to call me when I was needed home immediately. It was so nice. I am accepted.

6 months ago I thought I was normal but this, my friends, is normal. The rest of the world is always trying to find a quick fix to ease the stress of the day or a part in their life and it shouldn't be the norm. I get it. I'm writing this so I can encourage you too, Be normal. Love your life normally. Love yourself normally. You don't need an outside stimulant to make the world a beautiful place. You just have to remove all of the unpleasantness and never allow it back in. 

Keep going strong my friends. You are on your path to normalcy.

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