Everyone has unique personality traits. Sometimes we call them little quirks or habits. Sometimes we call them superstitions or fears. The name doesn’t matter, the way we treat people does.
We all get frustrated when people get upset with things that we do that are seemingly out of our control. “That’s just how I am.” That’s fine. But you have to realize that it’s just how other people are, too.
You can’t expect acceptance if you don’t first accept.
Maybe you eat one things at a time when you’re eating a meal. Maybe you can’t watch televisions shows out of order. Maybe the volume on the TV has to be on a number divisible by five. Maybe you can’t have people in your room when it’s messy. Whatever your thing is, it’s okay.
You’re allowed to have preferences, habits, and things that you specifically do to make it through the day. Since you’re allowed these things, you have to be willing to accept other people for the things that get them through the day as well.
It doesn’t matter how off the wall or out of the ordinary it seems to you. Everyone has their own way of reacting to things and getting through life. Things that are normal to you might be strange to someone else. And that’s okay.
We don’t get to decide what someone else’s “normal” is.
You don’t have to do the same things as everyone else. You just have to let other people feel comfortable doing what they need to do. If I need, like, five minutes of time where I’m by myself to get myself together (which I do need), it means a lot to me that those around me respect that and give me my alone time.
If I don’t like to sit against the window in an airplane (which I don’t), I appreciate when people are willing to switch with me. (Shout out to the man on my flight from Charlotte to Atlanta this weekend, thanks for making my life easier.)
If I walk a certain way to and from class every day (which I do), I appreciate when the people I’m walking with alter their path for me.
What I’m trying to say is that people are more than willing to make exceptions for my “quirks,” so it is only fair that I am willing to do that for others.
Sometimes, life gets crazy and there are many things that are not in our control. If we all lend a hand to let each other control our own controllables, life gets a whole lot easier all around.
So, I challenge you this: next time someone’s behavior or habits seem a little strange to you, give them the freedom to be themselves. Put yourself in their spot. If the roles were reversed, I’m sure you would appreciate the same level of acceptance.
We’re all just trying to get through life. It’s a whole lot easier when we’re allowed to do our “thing.”
