I suppose, in a certain way, I’ve always felt out of place, walking to the beat of my own drum, so to speak.

In the workplace, whispers about my choice of attire, which often included loud colors, fringed open cardigans, bohemian skirts, or palazzo pants, didn’t fit with their view of conventional business casual clothing options. Whatever, I felt good, and they could keep their comments to themselves if they didn’t dare to speak up to my face. Did I feel their eyes on me? Yes. Did it affect my job? No.

In the community at large, when I go out with friends, I often feel eyes on me again. I wonder if they think I’m a kook or weirdo, because my friends and I can go out in yoga pants or bike shorts and tank tops and not care. Do people judge? For sure, because we’re not coming out of a yoga studio or exercise class, we’re just out and about, doing a spot of shopping and grabbing a quick lunch. Who cares what I’m wearing? It’s not like I’m wearing a furry outfit, for goodness sake. Although if someone wants to walk around in one of those, go for it, all the power to you!

As my own person, not following the latest trends often means I get those side glances, as if to say, ‘Look who’s stuck in the past’ or ‘That was so five minutes ago.’ I don’t need to adapt to the most fabulous fashion or the newest makeup tips. I barely wear makeup anyhow, when I do, I’ll do it my way and be damn those who don’t like my look. They can look elsewhere.

I don’t mind being the fish out of water. I’ll be true to myself and remain unique. Let everyone else be drones to society’s trends.