Lifestyle Insight Magazine

There are numerous reasons why I’m regarded as the weird friend. Perhaps it’s because with the way I think or talk sometimes, I defy conventional norms or challenge established perspectives or maybe it’s because to most people I generally seem like a crazy person. But one thing’s certain: I’m definitely not normal- and who would actually want to be?
You know how people say “don’t judge a book by its cover”?
I did. I do. And I always will.
It’s the way I’m wired. At first glance, I form an opinion about you, and I assure you that it isn’t based on superficial characteristics like appearance or attire. This instant judgment extends beyond people; I make swift decisions about films, books, and experiences. My decision-making process is rooted in my brain’s unique functioning. Research suggests that our brains are wired to make quick judgments, often relying on past experiences and emotions. In my case, this manifests as a strong instinctual response, where I either connect with someone or something, or I don’t.
When it comes to friendships, if you’re someone I care about, you become a part of me. I’ll go to great lengths to support you and I expect the same level of loyalty in return. But even if you hurt or betray me, I’ll still forgive you – no matter how severe or how long it takes. Some may perceive my empathetic nature as emotional weakness or a lack of self-respect- I don’t really care if you view it as such because that isn’t what it is. And my capacity for forgiveness shouldn’t be used to assumed as an immunity to betrayal. It still hurts me deeply, perhaps more than the average person. As an empath, I often relive past pains and even cry when witnessing similar injustices in the media.
Oh, that’s another weird thing, Crying. I love it! That’s weird, I know. But it’s not the act itself but everything that leads up to it. The emotion, the connection and that pressing feeling of heat in your chest as the tears well up. It’s all a reminder of the fact that you’re alive- that’s just how my brain works. And when I do find something I connect to that makes me cry, I keep going back again and again, but I think that habit stems from my tendency to hyper fixate.
All through my life, once I found something I liked, that thing would be in my line of focus for probably the next 3 months (sometimes more), which would explain why I have a set playlist of songs I listen to every year or would explain why I repeat the same 5 television series every 3 months.
My brain has never followed the rules of simple logic. If something doesn’t feel right, I won’t force myself to believe it. Instead, I question facts and seek alternative perspectives. This might make me seem contrarian or stubborn, but I believe it’s vital to maintaining a curious and open-minded mindset. I refuse to let my mind become a boring space that blindly accepts every ‘fact’ as truth. My brain works differently, and I won’t apologize for it.