What makes a person normal? Average intelligence and appearance? A modest sedan in the driveway and a cable subscription? Maybe, but even those types of people have their secrets. That laid back meek dude from accounting could moonlight as a drag queen. Your sweet old 84 year old neighbor could frequent the local swinger club. Or even that cute guy at Starbucks could have a balloon and cat food fetish.
So besides me providing disturbing imagery of everyday people, what am I trying to get at?
Growing up a minority within a minority (black and nerdy, not to mention awkward as hell), I always felt I was outside looking into the beautiful, sane, and maybe less dorky world of normal. Normal was the elusive state of being that I was always one oddly timed joke or missed fashion trend behind. But going through college and expanding my circles through work and play, I think the only normal people that exist are ones you don’t know well.
Normal is hugely dependent on the context of your environment. Think about it, normal at a frat party is kinda different then Sunday school normal. The only time most of us are normal (by normal here, I mean our bad voice singing, nose picking, finger licking selves) is when we are alone. True, some types of intimate relationships allow for your significant other to see the less desirable traits, but think about how long it takes for you to feel comfortable peeing in front of your boyfriend. I won’t even go into number two.
Most of like to think we are normal because normal is equated with “good”. So by definition, “weird” must be bad. I know a lot of the girls on here have probably already come to terms with their quirks, but for every person that loves their weirdness, there is at least another one out there loathing it. I know because I teeter on the edge of both extremes. I know I should love me, flaws and all, but there is so much negativity out there that will devastate your soul if you let it.
So as I write this, I am giving myself a giant hug of self acceptance and love (yes as corny as it may be). Not being “normal” doesn’t mean you can’t improve, but it does mean you can still love yourself in during the journey.
I got plenty of my own quirks and non-normal delights. I won’t bother listing them here because they may not all be legal (kidding).
Peace and cyber hugs
