Why should we embrace our quirks?

Why should we embrace our quirks? I have just watched this amazing TED talk by Chris Williamson about embracing our weirdness. We have all, at times, felt like we didn’t fit in. The chances of our specific combination of genetics actually existing has been calculated as one in ten to the power 2,685,000. That number is mind boggling, and to put it in perspective, it is larger than all the particles in the universe. Yet here we are.

Chris feels that embracing our weirdness is our duty to the rest of the human race and universe, and will improve our lives. He spent a long time playing a role, and pushing away thoughts that conflicted with his persona, however life felt empty. If you hide your true self for long enough you don’t know who you are anymore.

Many of us try to appear normal, curbing our personality and quirks, however this erodes everything unique about us. We should instead embrace our weirdness to become successful, desirable and fulfilled. We assume that our employers want normal employees, so that is what we try to project. We conform, and try to appeal to the widest possible group, but by doing so, we guarantee average results.

We can escape competition by being authentic, because no one can beat us at being us. Our quirks are strengths to be embraced, not weaknesses to be embarrassed about. Our deception detectors can tell when someone is playing a role, and it turns us off. Instead, we are attracted to people who embrace their quirks, rather than hiding them.

The persona is incapable of receiving love, and can only receive praise, which feels hollow. We will never feel connected if we are playing a role. We can still grow and develop, but our goal should be to be the best version of ourselves, not a copy of someone else.

Being honest and open, and having the courage to say what’s on our mind may be the things that change someone else’s life!

Project 365

I set up this website after deciding that I want to build a more creative life for myself, so I can give up my job and be in control of my own destiny.

I have set myself a goal of publishing an article on my website every day this year, to document my journey from employment to self-employment.

The name I chose was Project 365 because I see this as a year that I have dedicated to learning and self-development, as I countdown to freedom. It started on 1st January 2021, so I have 199 days to go!