My Identity Is A Superpower Not An Obstacle
Okay, so imagine this: I used to think my identity was like that one annoying piece of glitter you just cannot get off your shirt, no matter how many times you wash it. You know the one. It sticks to everything, catches the light at the worst possible moments, and generally makes you feel a little bit… extra. For a long time, my identity felt like that. It was this collection of traits, quirks, and experiences that I thought were holding me back, like a superhero suit that was just a tad too tight in all the wrong places.
I’d look at people who seemed to glide through life, effortlessly charming and perfectly normal (whatever that means!), and I’d wonder what their secret was. Was there a manual I missed? Did they get a memo about how to be a cohesive, uncomplicated human being while I was over here trying to juggle flaming chainsaws and simultaneously remember where I put my keys? Spoiler alert: there wasn't a manual, and they were probably just as messy as I was, they were just better at hiding it. Or maybe they just had really good internal organization skills. Mine are more… chaotic good.
See, my identity is a bit like a thrift store explosion. You’ve got vintage band tees next to sparkly sequined jackets, a ridiculously comfortable pair of overalls, and maybe a slightly questionable novelty sweater thrown in for good measure. It’s not a sleek, curated capsule wardrobe. It’s… a lot. And for a while, I’d try to shove all the interesting bits into a plain beige box, hoping it would blend in. Big mistake. Huge. It’s like trying to fit a T-Rex into a Smart Car. It’s not pretty, and something is definitely going to get crushed.
I’m talking about all those things that make you you. The things you might have been teased for as a kid, the things that make you feel a little out of step with the crowd, the things that, frankly, are just plain different. Maybe you’re fiercely independent, or you’re a hopeless romantic with a penchant for dramatic gestures. Maybe you’re a walking encyclopedia of obscure trivia, or you communicate best through interpretive dance (guilty!). Whatever it is, for a long time, I treated these parts of myself like they were embarrassing blemishes that needed to be covered up.
I remember one particular incident. I was at a work event, trying my absolute hardest to be this polished, professional person. And then, someone asked me a question about my hobbies. Now, my hobbies involve collecting vintage horror movie posters, learning ancient calligraphy, and occasionally attempting to bake bread that looks suspiciously like a geological specimen. Not exactly the kind of stuff you’d find on a LinkedIn profile unless you’re going for the “eccentric genius” vibe. So, naturally, I panicked. I mumbled something about “reading” and “walking,” which was about as exciting as watching paint dry. The look on their face was… let’s just say it wasn’t inspiring.
That’s when it hit me. I was actively dimming my own light. I was taking all these vibrant, colorful threads that made up my identity and trying to weave them into a dull, gray tapestry. And you know what that tapestry looked like? It looked like… beige. And nobody wants to look at beige all the time, right? We want a kaleidoscope! We want a fireworks display! We want a really good, slightly over-the-top, glitter-bomb of a personality!
So, I started to experiment. It was like being a mad scientist in my own life, but instead of creating a Frankenstein’s monster, I was trying to create a superhero. I started to lean into the weird. I started to own the eccentricities. And you know what happened? Miraculously, the world didn’t end. In fact, things got a whole lot more interesting.
It turns out, those things I thought were obstacles were actually my superpowers. My ability to see things from a slightly off-kilter perspective? That’s not a bug, it’s a feature! It allows me to come up with creative solutions that nobody else would even think of. It’s like having x-ray vision, but instead of seeing through walls, I can see through boring ideas. And my enthusiasm for obscure topics? That’s my super-strength. I can dive deep into something, find all the fascinating tidbits, and then… well, I can bore my friends with them. It’s a niche superpower, I’ll grant you, but it’s mine!
And that slight awkwardness I used to feel? Turns out, it makes me more approachable. People feel more comfortable being their own weird selves around me because I’m openly embracing my own brand of wonderful weirdness. It’s like a signal flare: “Come on over! We’re all a little bit strange here, and that’s A-OK!” It’s the ultimate icebreaker, even better than asking someone about their favorite type of cheese. (Although, that’s a solid contender, let’s be honest.)
Think about it. The world is full of billions of people, and statistically speaking, not all of them are going to be carbon copies of each other. If we were all the same, life would be as exciting as a monochrome television set. We need the vibrant colors, the clashing patterns, the unexpected plot twists that come from each individual’s unique identity. It’s like a grand, cosmic potluck. Everyone brings something different to the table, and that’s what makes the meal delicious.
So, next time you feel like your identity is a drag, like it’s holding you back, I want you to take a deep breath. Then, I want you to do a little mental inventory. What are those things that make you you? Are they really obstacles, or are they just… really cool features that you haven’t learned how to use yet? Are they Kryptonite, or are they your cape?
For instance, I’m incredibly passionate. Sometimes, maybe too passionate. I can get super excited about a new book or a particularly well-crafted spreadsheet. For years, I thought this was a weakness, that I was too intense. But then I realized, this passion fuels my creativity, it drives me to learn, and it makes me a really fun person to debate about the merits of different types of sourdough starters. It’s not a flaw; it’s a super-charged engine!
And don’t even get me started on my ability to remember obscure movie quotes. Seriously, it’s like my brain is a personal IMDb database. I used to think it was just a silly party trick. But you know what? It’s a great way to connect with people, to bring a little levity to a situation, and to remind myself that even the smallest, most seemingly insignificant parts of our identity can have surprising power. It's like having a secret handshake with the universe.
The truth is, our identities are not burdens to be shed. They are the unique blueprints of our existence, the special sauce that makes us who we are. They are the source of our strength, our creativity, and our ability to connect with others on a deeper level. They are, in fact, our superpowers. So, instead of trying to hide them, tuck them away, or smooth them out, I’m here to tell you: unleash them! Let them shine! Because when you embrace your identity, not as an obstacle, but as the incredible, multifaceted, and sometimes wonderfully bizarre superpower that it is, that’s when you truly start to fly. And trust me, flying is way more fun than beige.