It's Okay Not to Fit In

Yesterday, I spent part of my Saturday at a local craft fair here in Gardiner. I packed up some of the items I've worked so hard to create, set up my table, and hoped for a day of meeting new people, sharing my work, and maybe making a few sales along the way.

It didn't exactly turn out that way.

The turnout was small, conversations were brief, and sales were nothing to get excited about. I made enough to cover the cost of my table and a little extra, but certainly not enough to call it a particularly successful day financially. There was another event happening in town, which may have contributed to the low attendance, but there's really no way to know.

What I did know, almost immediately, was that I didn't quite fit in. Most of the other tables were filled with Christmas decorations, homemade candles, food, and traditional crafts. There were some beautiful handmade items, and it was obvious that people had put time and effort into their creations. Then there was my table, filled with witches, Halloween, horror, and all the unusual things I love to create.

I stood out, and not necessarily in a way that brought people rushing over to see what I had. There were compliments, and I appreciated every one of them, but most conversations didn't go much further than a friendly greeting. My sister also showed up to support me, and having someone familiar there meant a lot, especially on a day when I was feeling a little out of place.

I think most of us have experienced that feeling at some point. Walking into a room where everyone seems to have something in common except you, or realizing that the things that make you happy aren't necessarily the things that appeal to the people around you. It's an uncomfortable feeling, especially when you're putting something personal out into the world.

But I didn't pack up and leave. I didn't wish I'd brought something different or start thinking about how I could make my creations more like everyone else's. I stayed because those were the things I was proud of. They represented my creativity, my interests, and a little piece of who I am. And I don't think we should have to apologize for that.

We spend so much of our lives trying to fit into places where we think we're supposed to belong. We adjust our interests, hold back our opinions, and sometimes hide the parts of ourselves that might seem a little different. Yet the older I get, the more I realize that fitting in isn't nearly as important as we sometimes think. There's nothing wrong with having different interests, following an unusual path, or being the one person in the room who doesn't quite match everyone else.

Yesterday also reminded me that not every experience has to turn out the way we hoped to be worthwhile. I could have looked at the small crowd, the limited sales, and the conversations that never really happened and decided the day was a waste of time. Instead, I learned a little more about the kinds of events that might be a better fit for me, appreciated the compliments I received, and was reminded how much it means when someone takes the time to show up for you.

Not every lesson comes from a wonderful experience. Sometimes we learn just as much from the days that are a little awkward, a little disappointing, or simply different from what we expected. Just because something isn't appreciated in one place doesn't mean it has no value. Sometimes we simply haven't found the right audience or the right opportunity.

I went to a craft fair hoping to sell some of my creations and meet new people. I came home with a little money, a few compliments, some family support, and a reminder that I don't have to fit in everywhere I go.

And maybe that's enough.

Until next time, remember that you don't have to change who you are to fit into someone else's world. There's room in this one for all of us, exactly as we are.