I think that I’m a regular kid. I don’t think I’m weird. But other kids do. For example, one of my desk partners once said that I mutter too much, and it’s weird. Then she looked at me in that odd sort of way that makes you want to punch someone. I replied that thinking out loud helps me process, but what I got was a disturbing, “Whatever.” This is what I deal with. Me being myself, and others criticizing me. I hate it. But I wouldn’t call anything that I do, weird. 

In the past, I was pretty normal. It was me. Aside from my friends, people left me alone. But in second grade, I gradually changed and stopped being similar to everyone else. I became different. I have absolutely no idea why. I was floating along pretty nicely on my hot-air balloon, going up pretty high. I wasn’t different then everyone else. But something put out that fire. Yet my balloon didn’t plummet. It stayed right where it was, yet my personality changed. And this new me was me. Everything was a confusing blur. But it happened, and I’m fine with it. Once kids noticed, they started thinking I was weird. They verbally said it. I’m not weird, thank you very much. 

At first, I realized that it was embarrassing to be different since I was used to fitting in. But I gradually adapted and changed my mindset. As long as I’m true to myself, and aim to be successful in life, not fitting in means nothing. 

Bernard M. Baruch once said, “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” I love that quote. It helped me realize that I can be myself.

What also helped is having good friends. I hang out with them because I enjoy being around them, like any other person. They hang out with me because they don’t think I’m weird. Well, some of them do, but they don’t care. As friends, we do ordinary things: we play sports together, or have playdates (eech, that does sound wierd). Instead, let’s call it hanging out so I won’t get too criticized. Anyhow, I have a few friends that mean the world to me. On some occasions, when I fully understand someone, I can talk to them with my eyes, and they get it. I try it with multiple people, but only some understand me. That helps me get through.

A school is a place where we can learn about other people, and what makes us unique from one another. (Obviously, aside from academics) I’ve certainly learned a lot about people. In modern school society, most kids divide into groups. 2019 7th graders definitely do. There are bullying groups, want-to-fit-in groups, sassy groups, etc. And that’s just in the line going into class each day. 

I’ve observed that only a few people are in my group. I fit more or less in some groups, but none are perfect for me. But that doesn’t change my opinion about kids thinking I’m weird. Maybe there is one person out there, thinking the exact thing as me. Maybe one day we’ll meet. But for now, don’t call me weird, because I’m not. I’m myself.