"Weird Kid" Epidemic, Does Pretty Privilege Exist? Is Being Alternative Make You Weird?

  I sure like no other you've encountered people on social media or online who claim to be this way. Sometimes they are truthful others not. Is it even worth bragging about if you're being honest? Lets discuss this very topic.

 I feel people nowadays have the urge to seem like they're quirky, wanting to not fit into a certain stereotype. I feel being "weird" has nothing to do with what aesthetic you fit in but more of personality and what seems odd to the norm. I think we are very quick to presume or identify someone based on appearance. 

What's actually being a "weird kid"? As previously said it's to fit somewhere outside the norm and what's considered the average. This is something that's not considered mainstream or popular. A lot of people seem to think alternative would be that "weird kid" category, but I'd say otherwise. Being alternative has grown in popularity in the past few years. Making it strange or abnormal was the lack of people who dressed that way had those certain beliefs and so on, but nowadays you'll see plenty of people who are alternative in public spaces and online. So is being alternative even really weird now? Maybe it had been in the past and used to be viewed that way, but not many look at a alternative person nowadays and be like "eww a emo" or something. If anything alot of people think it's cool actually or sometimes that group of people are targeted because they are attracted to that. Being a Weird is to not fit in and to be different from most. 

                                  MY experience of feeling I was the "Weird Kid".

 In grade 7 I moved to a new school, this new school was a small school in which everyone grew up with each other. I was scared to start there because I was already shy and awkward. At the time I was unaware of how bad my social anxiety was until I started. I was alternative, but that's not what made me stand out compared to the rest of them. What made me stand out was the fact my bangs were overgrown and covered my eyes and most of my face +a mask, they weren't really bangs at that point, I had long black hair that reached my butt, I wore the same long black hoodie from the 6th grade that was torn, and lastly I was new and also selectively mute. I could speak, but my social anxiety made me terrified to even get up and walk to class or to turn in my work. I wasn't always like that though. When I attended my old school (6th grade to 4th)l I had split hair dye which was black and white and had a good group for friends. Everyone knew me and we were on good terms, I mean some considered me maybe strange for being alternative but not like actually weird if that makes sense. Moving to this new school it was full of rich snobs who were preppy. A place I clearly didn't fit in. I was scared and had my hair in my face and wore what I wore to cover up who I was really. I was scared they would judge me for who I really was and so I became something I wasn't so I'd be less upset when they'd consider me weird. I was bullied there and they did have a nickname for me which was "the girl from the ring", they'd bark at me in the hallways,try to be fake friends with me and then laugh with there friends, sit on the bleachers with me while I was reading to harass me. All of it scared me so bad. I had an apple watch and almost anything it would go off telling me about how my heart was racing at an accelerating speed (like as If I was running or doing a exercise) and I'd be sitting down just panicking. Only person who was sincere to me during that time was a person named Venti. One time in music they noticed me breathing really crazy, which was in result of my anxiety and they asked if I was okay. I stayed this way even when I moved back to my old school in 8th grade, but  I began to get a little more comfortable. I grew out of that torn hoodie I wore in the 7th, I decided to begin with nicer clothes. I was able to afford nice things but I had a strange attachment to it and it made me feel comforted.

 What I told you just there was something quite personal in my life, but I think it is important to share when talking about this topic. I knew I was weird even if it was a coverup I felt overtime I became that actually even though that wasn't me and I thought I looked stupid and wanted to sweep my hair out of my face and wear nice things and not have a stupid mask on. Also me personality wise was very off compared to everyone else so my special interests were strange/weird too. Not just my appearance. After being judged for years one day I took my mask off had my hair out of my face and actually been myself and that's where I get into pretty privilege. 

                                                        Pretty Privilege

After showcasing my true self I was treated differently. For the first time in a couple years I was treated like everyone else and with respect. I was quite insecure so it shocked me when people showed any interest in me, platonic and romantically. People try to act like I was never once weird and they had never spoken negatively behind my back. I'm not here to say I'm the prettiest person ever to exist, but I know I'm not "ugly". Over the few years I realized how much different I've been treated compared to grade 7 and 8. So yes I believe Pretty Privilege Exists. 

                                        Is It Worth Expressing Being A "Weird Kid"?

 Personally I find it embarrassing and I cringe thinking about it. I'm ashamed. I think this depends on everyone's experience. I mean if it's who you are still to this day it can also change how you feel about it.I think people should be proud of themselves and standing out, which now I think is a bit more accepted. 

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                        My Opinion On Those Claiming To Be "Weird" Js For Clout Or Wtv

 I think it's pretty lame of them to do it especially when they used to be the same people who bullied those who were different from them. They usually are the same kinda people who have bible quotes or loving quotes in their bios but are the meanest people. I think it's an attempt to seem quirky to seem they have more to them? I don't know.

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