Contrary to what every elementary school teacher has ever told you – being different is hard. As I’ve grown older I have come to realize that many people do not view the world the same way as I do. I happen to have experience on this matter since my views on almost every major issue are different from those in my family and that attend my large SEC University, and let me tell you, people are not always accepting. I am a vegetarian, I do not watch television, I got a tattoo on a whim, I am a feminist, and this summer I traveled to a foreign country alone. To put it candidly, some people and I do not see eye to eye. Throughout the years I have faced a lot of controversy, been talked about behind my back, called stupid, been labeled as a “dirty hippie,” belittled, and in one case almost got hit in the face for my opinion. Despite all of the challenges that it brings, going against the “norm” of society has been the best teacher of all. When you stand out from the crowd you learn to embrace your individuality, and to accept yourself for who you truly are. Here are some reasons why being the odd one out could be the best thing that has happened to you.

You Know Who Your Friends Are

If you are an outgoing sociable person with strong opinions – than this one is pretty self-explanatory. You are most likely one of those people when someone brings up your name people either light up and express how awesome you are, or they proceed to roll their eyes and go off on a 20 minute tangent about how wrong, annoying, and dumb they believe you to be while they take a stab at your character. There is no in-between. You are a person who people either love or they hate. This makes it so much easier to pick out your true friends, since it is pretty obvious who they are.

You Can Deal With Criticism Like A Pro

Since people are always questioning your personal values and ideals like it is their job, by now you are fully equipped with how to handle your critics. When I first began to realize that people did not see the world the same way as me, I used to react by getting my feelings hurt and lashing out. Now, I hardly ever lose my temper anymore, which is saying something considering how many people seem to try to change my opinion on certain matters. When faced with someone who tries to pick a fight with me about a certain subject I calmly explain my opinion in a way that could maybe make him or her understand my stance on the issue. If after explaining my rational they still don’t agree, then that is fine. I proceed to go along with my day and do not dwell on it anymore. They are as entitled to their opinion as I am to mine.

You Have Great Stories

People that have passion, zeal, and see life through a different perspective are always the ones who have the most interesting stories to tell. These people usually go above and beyond to make the most out of life, and have some pretty interesting experiences under their belts. Chances are if you are different from other people you are more likely to take risks, which will ultimately lead to unique experiences you would never have had the opportunity to experience if you didn’t push yourself out of your comfort zone. When I tell people I went to a foreign country I have never been to, to work as an organic farmer on a sustainable Eco-village that I found on the Internet – I definitely get a wide array of responses. Some of the worst I have ever gotten were, “Thank God you made it back alive,” “So you actually are crazy,” and “I thought you were smarter than that.” Say what you must, but I guarantee I will have better stories to tell my kids than the people sitting around all summer binge watching Netflix and criticizing other people’s lives.

You Are Open Minded

You already see the world through a different lens than most people, which makes you unafraid of new ideas and ways of life. You most likely have a passion for travel, and learning about other cultures. Unlike the people who question your lifestyle with hostility, you love hearing different viewpoints and opinions. You are genuinely interested in what others have to say and never approach them with hostility when you disagree, since this happens to you on a regular basis. This makes you a person that people know they can come to without fear of judgment. Two of your best qualities are you are a trustworthy person, and a fantastic listener.

You are Secure With Yourself

Being the black sheep in situations has made you strong. You often find there are times in which you are your only supporter, and everyone else is rooting for you to fail. Since sometimes you might not have anyone to fall back on, you know how to stand up for yourself. Being unapologetically who you are is one of the most liberating feelings in the world. You know who you are and you love yourself for it. Sure, you have people that won’t like you, but that doesn’t faze you, considering you know your worth and will not compromise your personal values for anyone. You are a fireball of energy and are so passionate about your beliefs that you refuse to let negative people bring you down.

I am by no means saying that having different opinions, values, and morals than others makes you better than them in any way. Nor do I believe that I am the only person in the world that shares my viewpoints. All I am saying is that despite that being different can sometimes be difficult; there is no other way I would want to live.