Let Them Be Weird

Within a matter of 48 hours, I had three very close friends share with me three very different descriptions of me–thanking me for embodying these contrasting characteristics. It made me wonder how our students might feel when they have characteristics that do not necessarily complement each other.

It’s weird.

Friend Response 1

First, I was discussing with a friend how I was super excited and extremely nervous about preparing my first ninety-minute keynote presentation. I shared with him how I was researching everything I know and asking anyone who would listen–including my favorite presenters. I told him how I had also spent hours watching and analyzing the structure of my favorite Ted Talks. To which he replied, “Just go do your thing, Tara. You can do this. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You are so detail-oriented. For me, I know perfection isn’t a reality, so I don’t even pretend to plan for it. You are special, T. Just do what you do and learn from it.”

Not plan every detail? Me? Just go do it. Oh my goodness…that seems impossible.

Friend Response 2

The next morning, I got a vox from a friend who was stressing over submitting a presentation proposal to a huge tech conference. She was utterly consumed with the details, and it was paralyzing her from submitting. To which I replied, “Just cannonball in. Why pass up an opportunity? If you get in, the right people will join your session, and you will have the opportunity to share your WHY with educators from all over the world. Just do it! What do you have to lose by submitting?” I went on to share how I didn’t even know what “ISTE” was entirely when I submitted for my first Ignite presentation last summer. I cannonballed into the waters and swam like a mad woman to come up for air when I was accepted. I kept swimming until the time I took the big stage with educators like Sylvia Duckworth. It was an incredible experience that I would have never had if I didn’t jump into the unknown. Honored is an understatement to describe what that cannonball splash brought me that summer. 

She messaged me back with a screenshot of her “Your proposal has been submitted!” and thanked me for my “cannonball in the water attitude.” She went on to say, “I wish I didn’t worry so much about details and allow them to paralyze me. You’re such an inspiration. I want more of your carefree attitude.”

Carefree? Me? Really? Well…yes, I think I am carefree in this type of situation.

Friend Response 3

The same evening, I was visiting with whom I consider my best friend, and after hashing out our crazy day, he said, “There is only ONE Tara.”

I said, “No doubt, and thank heavens for that. Not sure what life might be like with two of me.”

His reply, 

“The.

World.

Is.

Not.

Ready for two of you.

TMM you’re a Bad A$$, and there is only one TMM!”

What a way to calm my wandering mind of, “Am I, so detail oriented that I’m missing out on special moments in my life?” Or, “Am I a carefree individual who isn’t afraid of risk-taking?”

Or, am I all of the above? 

All of the above might be the “right” answer.

Details are every bit a part of me and sometimes paralyze me, too. TMI, but for example, that same morning, I put on and took off my tights and shoes nine times. NINE! I couldn’t for the life of me get the seam to position across my toes just right. This happens more often than I care to admit, but if I can’t get it “right” or manage to deal with it, I have to change my entire outfit. I’ll get nothing done that day without obsessing over them. So, I dress from the shoes up EVERY single morning.

Yet, when someone asks me to try something I’ve never done before that seems scary to most, I’m not hesitant at all. I’m the girl most of my colleagues describe as, “Let’s do it! Let’s make a splash and soak everyone around us! I’m ready!” And, in those situations, I’m totally fine with learning from the experience.

Do I strive for perfection almost always? YES! Even though I know perfection is unattainable, it’s still the goal. 

Freak of nature? (Especially since I haven’t even broached a fraction of my abnormalities.)

Probably.

Weird?

Indeed. 

But, high-functioning in this thing called life?

Heck to the yes!

Weird and EDU

What does this have to do with kiddos, or school, or us as educators?

Everything.

We are dealing with little (and big) humans. They are all unique and come with a variety of characteristics, strengths, talents, etc. Introvert, extrovert, busy little guy, spectrumy, and every other “label” we give them to classify the set of characteristics they were blessed with at birth. But, why? PS On those types of test, I’m always an extrovert introvert! Wild but true; I work well with a crowd and love presenting to large groups but recharge alone in solitude. I must have my alone time with my fidgets.

Why must we label?

I’ve done it, but I still wonder…why? In fact, I often find myself throwing out my “label” attempting to avoid judgment by “normalizing” my weird. I often say things like, “I’m a sensory girl. It’s a huge part of me. It’s weird, and it drives me as insane as it does those that work around me. I’ve learned to deal with it and cope with almost all situations in this life.” I overexplain details especially if I’m in a situation where I’m utilizing one of my “coping” skills. 

But, what if we just let people be weird?

What if we just let our students (or staff) be weird?

What if we say…

There is only one YOU.

And in the words of my best bud, 

“The.

World.

Is.

Not.

Ready for two of YOU!” 

(You can add, “You’re a Bad A$$.” if it’s appropriate because it certainly added a power-pop punch to his statement that made me want to flex in the mirror.) The point remains. We are unique, and that is our REAL superpower.

Be weird and let them be weird.

Be REAL.

Or, in the words of Linda Kranz from the book titled, Only One You,

“There’s only one you in this great big world. Make it a better place.”

And when we embrace our weird and the weird of those around us, we will indeed make the world a better place.