N is for Nerdiness #AtoZChallenge
I’m doing the A to Z Challenge in April using the theme “What to Pack on Your Creative Journey.” Today, let’s add our weirdest outfits to the metaphorical suitcase — the pink and green argyle socks, the purple blazer, or the paisley pants.
Those who matter don’t mind, and those who mind don’t matter. ~Bernard Baruch
As I noted in the post about enthusiasm, some aspects of our culture take away the things we need to pack for our creative journey. When we were young, we heard things like, “You’re so weird” or “Who do you think you are?”
Whether they were directed at you or at others, these statements discouraged any unique expression of ourselves. Creativity requires originality, authenticity, and boldness. As adolescents, we learn conformity and timidity.
This sheet music was published in 1875 in The Musical Bouquet, a series of affordable piano music published weekly as individual pieces, and every six months as bound volumes.
Those words can still have power for decades after you heard them, even if no adult experiences bear out the fear that you’re too weird or share too much.
One solution is to embrace your inner nerd. Obsess about your current interest. Display the knowledge, art, and writing generated by that obsession. The more you share, the more you’ll discover the people who enjoy your passion and appreciate your work.
How do you respond to the haters so you can free yourself to do your creative work?
Yeah, I’ve never been able to handle criticisms of anything I’m passionate about.
I support and defend the nerdy people around me, and find they return the favor.
I learned from a summer camp director named Pete, an elderly man who dressed garishly, like a modern day court fool. His denim shorts were blue, but the patch pockets were pink on the left, lime green on the right. He wore a lime sock on the left, and a pink one on the right so the colors criss crossed. When I child pointed out his mismatched socks, he told them his wife bought them on sale, two pairs because they were cheap. “I have another pair just like them.”
He inspired kids to want to dress weird and silly, but they had packed to dress competitively instead, so they had to get creative. Bonus!
When foxtail weeds were taking over the garden, he stuffed them in his pockets, socks, and hat band, to scare the others away. I suggested he try that with thistle, but he wasn’t quite that weird. I hung thistles on the side mirrors and rails of the camp truck. Not sure if it helped.
I think I’m my own worst critic. There are so many talented folks out there.
Ive had some amazing role models who loved their art and stuck by it.
Nerds have more “social distancing” skills (lol)
Nexus