329. Trial and Error: Write about something you learned the hard way.
I am not everyone’s cup of tea and not everyone is going to like me. This reality was upsetting and hard to navigate as a child because I went to school with the same people for 13 years and if people didn’t like me, I was isolated and lonely. As pack animals, peers have power and if you’re ostracized, you’re a lone wolf. I tried to fit in and got better at it in college. I had some problems fitting in during grad school but kept trying to find the right formula for whatever environment I was in, if not part of the crowd, at least inconspicuous. Even at a full-grown adult, there are some groups where I am clearly not liked. Although I would prefer to be liked, I would rather like myself and be who I am rather than whomever they think I should be.
