It's OK to be Different

Have you ever felt bone-weary at the thought of another day like the one you’ve just had? When you’re a high achiever and you’re a natural leader, it can feel almost impossible to be contained within a nine-to-five job, a white picket fence or any of the other average statistics that others appear to be happy to settle for.  Yet the idea of settling can feel tempting. It’s challenging to run your own business, to be in the uncertainty of entrepreneurship and to be the leading lady of your own life. This seems especially so when you compare yourself to others.

I want you to know that it’s ok to be different.

It’s ok to live outside the box.

It’s really fine for you to embrace all of who you are. The exceptional being that you are would never be happy to settle for the mainstream, the status quo, the national average.

I used to be so envious when I looked around me and saw so many women who seemed so gracefully and happily accepting of their circumstances. They had similar pay cheques to mine. They worked hard and were happy going home to their partners at night, perhaps juggling children and a part-time job. They were paying off their mortgages and proud of their achievements. Meanwhile, I was slowly aching to death. I didn’t like working for someone else. I didn’t want to spend my life paying off a home loan. I certainly didn’t want a white picket fence. I couldn’t work out what was wrong with me and why I couldn’t just ‘be a good girl’ and take it like everyone else seemed to be taking it.

When I heard a mentor talking about entrepreneurship it really changed things for me. She said that entrepreneurs find it really challenging to squeeze inside 9 to 5 working hours. They are innovators and independent thinkers. They need space to work things out for themselves and to be self-leaders. They value uncertainty because it brings adventure and variety. They are often creative souls who have an important mission. After being an avid traveller and seeker my whole life, it was such a relief to finally hear someone language these characteristics and to see myself in them.

This week, I want you to know that it’s ok for you to be all of who you are. You don’t need to settle. There is nothing wrong with you. There is nothing that needs to be fixed. You are perfect, whole and complete and the whole world is waiting for you to be yourself. It’s really ok for you to be different. In fact, I celebrate you for having the courage to be different and for being more of who you truly are. Your life is precious, sacred and unique.