Normal can have different meanings and interpretations so what might be normal for someone might not be for someone else. For example, the weather can be a different ‘normal’ for two places or even two times. It doesn’t mean either one isn’t. A ‘normal’ diet for me consists of nuts and dairy, but for someone with food allergies would look very different. It doesn’t mean the obvious either, so we shouldn’t mistake what might look normal for someone else as normal for ourselves even if that’s all we can see. Someone might be able to function just fine off 5-6 hours of sleep a night, or even just 4, but someone else might need 7-8 hours. That doesn’t mean that they’re not ‘normal’.

The definition is: conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected. It might mean typical, but there are different types of typical. A ‘normal’ day for one person won’t look the same as for one person as for another. A mail delivery person’s typical day will look very different than an electrician’s typical day. But who’s to say which one is actually ‘normal’ when both are doing their job where it’s actually considered typical? And before I say more, if you want to watch me make a fool of myself to prove that the title of this blog really is true, then click the photo to head over and watch the vlog!

So What Is Normal?

I was and still struggle with the desire to be ‘normal’, even when I’m not even sure what it really is. I’ve been ashamed to admit that I don’t drink because ‘normal’ people know how to handle their liquor. And I have given myself guilt trips that I must be doing something wrong since ‘normal’ people can get pregnant within 6 months or so of trying. I think that if I’m different, I’m not ‘normal’. I don’t like wearing bathing suits in public because in my mind, ‘normal’ women don’t have as much dark hair as I do or in the places that I do. No joke, I have literally been afraid to poop around my husband (before he was my husband) because I wasn’t sure what a ‘normal’ woman’s poop should smell like..if that’s a thing.

I’ve been afraid to be myself in front of others because I don’t want to come off as weird because I’m afraid people won’t want to return to be around me again. I’ve played up or down my abilities to others for fear of embarrassment or judgment of how they might think of me – You hate when people talk too much? I’ll focus on the amount of words I say when I’m with you so I don’t become one of those people. (When in reality, I’m probably one of those people.) You love when people have a plan? Mine is this business and trying to start a family. (When I honestly have no idea what I’m doing a lot of the time and neither one of my ‘plans’ is going, well, according to plan.)

But What About Unique?

I’ve always been afraid of not being ‘normal’ that I’ve tried so hard to when I don’t even know what I’m doing. And a lot of the times it actually makes matters worse. I’ll then start feeling more abnormal because it’s is so hard for me. So take it from me, a recovering ‘normalist’ if you will. Don’t try to be normal, because chances are you’ll start to question it and wonder if there isn’t some other ‘normal’ you should be aiming to be. Just be you. And if you don’t know who that is yet, that’s okay and kind of expected. (Get it? A joke about being normal? Because the definition of normal is expected?…Okay, you get it.) The point is to experiment a little and try out some different things until it feels not just ‘normal’ but right.

The point is to try to get to where we aren’t worried about what ‘normal’ even is, and focus on just being ourselves. Even when we’re the only person there is doing it, we shouldn’t shy away. That’s just another thing that makes us unique. Because isn’t that what we really are? Unique and special in our own ways? So find your ‘normal’ and don’t worry about if anyone else views it the same way!

Comment below and let me know if you’re going or have been through the same experience. What did you do to help learn to appreciate yourself more! And let me know if you have any topics you want me to go over! And as always, thank you so very much for being a part of ETM’s community! I encourage you to join discussions, interact with others alike, and be unapologetically yourself! Until next time, I hope I’m able to help make your life as simple as could be. (:

And to watch the special Earth Day vlog, check out ETM’s blog here!

With all my love, Brandolyn – Earth To Momma