Most groups and societies have ideas of how people should act and what they should do. Most young people, for example, are supposed to enjoy getting together with friends and to be energetic and talkative. For people who enjoy being alone or sitting in silence, these kinds of expectations can make things difficult. Still, being different can be a very good thing.

Differences can show in many different ways. Some people are quiet when others are loud, while others like to stay in the classroom to work while others want to go outside and play games. People might hide differences like these to avoid being teased, but some differences are impossible to hide.

Being from another country or having an unusual way of speaking, for example, can be obvious to everyone. Sometimes, people will spend a lot of time and money trying to be like everyone else, because it can be easier to fit in with others than to live with these differences. Being different can be lonely, especially when other people seem happier and more successful.

Despite the difficulties, being different from other people can be rewarding. Often, creative thinking comes from being different rather than from being like everyone else. For example, Steve Jobs, the founder of the Apple computer company, had some unusual habits. Sometimes, he would start to cry from joy or frustration. Sometimes, he would also eat only carrots for long periods of time. Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford car company, would eat plants that he found at the side of the road. These men had some strange habits, but they had brilliant minds.

Sometimes, people develop unusual habits to help them clear their minds. For example, Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, uses the motion of a rocking chair to help himself think through difficult problems. The mystery author Agatha Christie ate apples while taking baths, and Dr. Seuss would wear a hat while he was writing. These habits might have seemed strange to others, but all of these people were very successful in their work.

Being different might not mean that you will invent a computer, become a famous writer, or do other amazing things. Still, the kind of thinking that is necessary for great inventions often comes from people who look at the world differently from most others. Even now, you might be able to help two of your friends solve a problem that they can’t deal with on their own, just because you are different.

Society pressures people to conform to a set of rules about behaviour, including likes and dislikes. However, the conformists who follow these rules are not necessarily the people who make great discoveries or accomplish wonderful things. Often, it takes an ability to see beyond these rules and expectations to be creative enough to get really good ideas.

Being different from other people can be lonely, but it can also help promote creative thinking. If you feel different from your classmates, you could use them for some amazing accomplishments in the future.

Bibliography:

Foust, Amanda. “4 Reasons to Embrace Being Different.” https://www.thedailypositive.com/4-ways-embrace-different/.

Hussain, Ahmed. “Why Being Different Is Important.”

https://www.theodysseyonline.com/why-being-different-is-important.

Lee, Sidney. “Why You Should Always Be Different.” https://mystudentvoices.com/why-you-should-always-be-different-7413de10eecf.

Leadem, Rose. “The Unusual Habits of 8 Famous and Successful People (Infographic).”

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/297580.

Rebolini, Ariana. “The Weird Habits of These Famous Writers Will Surprise You.” https://www.buzzfeed.com/ariannarebolini/you-need-to-read-the-strange-rituals-of-these-famous-writers.