Some of the choices I've made and things I've done aren't the most conventional or common ways of doing things. Anywhere from dancing like a fool in the middle of Cub Foods with my mom, to being homeschooled for almost all of my life, I've been looked at as slightly kooky. My life isn't full of radical choices, some of them are just slightly different from the norm.
Most of the time, I was confident when telling people that I was home schooled. I enjoyed my life, I learned a lot and it helped me become the person I am right now. But there were times, and there still are, when somebody would make fun of me or give my their harsh opinion on the way I lived my life, and it made it feel like keeping my mouth shut.
These comments usually started with the phrase, "No offense but..." Or a laugh.
"No offense but all the homeschoolers I've met are really awkward."
"No offense but I don't think people should homeschool their kids. They won't be able to communicate."
"No offense but homeschooling is the worst thing you could do to your kid."
People don't throw their opinions at me like eggs at a house just when they hear about me being homeschooled. With my recent decision to stop eating meat, I've actually received a lot of anger. The other day while working a concession stand, I turned down a hamburger and told the person that I didn't eat meat, they told me that animals were alive simply to die and be eaten. I calmly told the man, "If you want to eat meat, I'm not going to stop you. I just don't want to." He continued to tease me and insult me as if the way I lived my life was hurting him.
I've never understood why people let the choices other people make, affect them so strongly. I decided to become a runner, a gymnast, a writer, an English major, a Cub Foods dancing fool and whatever else I decide to do in the future, for myself.
I feel that as long as the way I'm living, isn't hurting anyone else, it's nobody else's business.
I feel that unless I ask someone to insult my lifestyle, they shouldn't. I feel that unless I want a debate on my choices, I should be left to live my life in peace.
This applies to everyone. It doesn't matter if someone is gay, straight, bi, transgender, non-binary, cisgender, tall, fat, skinny, short, weird as hell, homeschooled, public schooled, private schooled, feminine, masculine.... the list goes on. But I think you get the point.
What really matters is kindness. Be kind, accept others, debate and discuss when beneficial and appropriate and do what makes you happy.
