Fitting In Is Old News. Belonging Is The New Black

REMEMBER WHEN YOU were a teenager, what a big deal it was if you didn’t get invited to a party with the cool kids? Or if your best friend went to a movie with her “new” friends without you?

Oh, the pain. The hurt. The awful, awful feeling of being left out. You can’t even.

You’d hole up in your room, depressed, and listen to sad songs, or maybe you’d get upset at your BFF (how could she!) and decide to ignore her. For a week, at least.

On the outside, you’d act like it was no big deal. Party? You had better things to do. Cooler things.

Years later, all grown up, you realize how silly it was to feel such angst over something so trivial. The ups and downs, all that drama.

You know better now, right?

You’re an adult now. You are mature, “in control”. That sort of thing doesn’t phase YOU.

Or does it?

Grown up or not, we still want to be included. Our basic need to belong and feel connected didn’t change.

Except this time you want to be a part of something where you share interests and experiences, and instead of fitting in, you want to be accepted for who you are. It’s taking comfort in the fact that you are not alone, that others have faced struggles and challenges just like yours, and it gives life more meaning.

The teenager inside you still loves attention. See me! I’m here!

But it’s not about the cool kids at the party anymore, or the frenemies.

It’s about finding the ones around whom it’s cool to be yourself.

Fitting in is old news. Belonging is the new black (move over, orange).

 

Have you given fitting in the boot? Where do you feel you belong? Tell me in the comments, or hit reply.