A lot of this resonates with me. I got glasses when I was 4. I had oily curly hair and acne, and wore a series of sweater vests and rugby shirts. I couldn’t catch a ball to save my life. But I think in the end these things gave me advantages over those people who coasted through their early lives. At least, that’s what I tell myself.
Glad it resonated — I know there are many of us "weird" folks. Funny you should mention the ball thing. In my high school, we had choices for what PE classes to take every quarter. One time they offered one that my friends and I called "remedial PE," though that wasn't its official name. Only 3 friends and I picked it, so it was kind of fun. They actually taught us a technique for catching a ball! I hadn't known there was any such thing, and it worked.
And, well, facing some adversity is certainly helpful for developing in life. It should ideally be a good balance, of course, with not so much that it causes undue stress. I'm certainly glad those junior high years are behind me!
We're weird, and we're proud, and we're going to sit down now and go back to the book we were reading, but we'll say something really, really, weird and profound if we have to. But not right now. Gotta feed the cats.
This is my favorite column of yours ever. So gorgeously written--and so relatable! We should have met earlier in life, although I did wear blue eyeshadow for a time and got a Farrah-Fawcett haircut (don't hate me).
Yes glasses in 4th grade, handmade clothes & very socially awkward. Can count the times on one hand that I have worn makeup in my 60 years on this planet. Late in life discovered that there was actually a name for my personal characteristics, introversion!
We are introverts in an extroverted culture! I'm a very social introvert, but still ... nice to connect with a fellow socially awkward introvert! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Oh, yes, I remember those Junior High years and the faded blue PE jumpsuit. I was the 3rd girl in the family and rarely saw new clothes. It was hard when the three of you went to Uni!
Aw — I can only hope that high school was better. I get that feeling, and it seems like kids are at their worst in the junior high years, but who knows. Either way, it's nice to have that behind us, isn't it? Those gym suits were the WORST. I found a photo of a similar one and posted it here: https://flowerchild.substack.com/p/reading-old-diaries
A lot of this resonates with me. I got glasses when I was 4. I had oily curly hair and acne, and wore a series of sweater vests and rugby shirts. I couldn’t catch a ball to save my life. But I think in the end these things gave me advantages over those people who coasted through their early lives. At least, that’s what I tell myself.
Glad it resonated — I know there are many of us "weird" folks. Funny you should mention the ball thing. In my high school, we had choices for what PE classes to take every quarter. One time they offered one that my friends and I called "remedial PE," though that wasn't its official name. Only 3 friends and I picked it, so it was kind of fun. They actually taught us a technique for catching a ball! I hadn't known there was any such thing, and it worked.
And, well, facing some adversity is certainly helpful for developing in life. It should ideally be a good balance, of course, with not so much that it causes undue stress. I'm certainly glad those junior high years are behind me!
We're weird, and we're proud, and we're going to sit down now and go back to the book we were reading, but we'll say something really, really, weird and profound if we have to. But not right now. Gotta feed the cats.
We're weird, we're here, get used to it! 😊
This is my favorite column of yours ever. So gorgeously written--and so relatable! We should have met earlier in life, although I did wear blue eyeshadow for a time and got a Farrah-Fawcett haircut (don't hate me).
LOL, as if I could ever hate you. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
I did have somewhat feathered hair at one point, I think. Somewhat.
Yes glasses in 4th grade, handmade clothes & very socially awkward. Can count the times on one hand that I have worn makeup in my 60 years on this planet. Late in life discovered that there was actually a name for my personal characteristics, introversion!
We are introverts in an extroverted culture! I'm a very social introvert, but still ... nice to connect with a fellow socially awkward introvert! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Yup that is like the one I had but I don’t remember the elastic at the bottom & it was light blue from being laundered a million times I’m sure.
Oh, yes, I remember those Junior High years and the faded blue PE jumpsuit. I was the 3rd girl in the family and rarely saw new clothes. It was hard when the three of you went to Uni!
Aw — I can only hope that high school was better. I get that feeling, and it seems like kids are at their worst in the junior high years, but who knows. Either way, it's nice to have that behind us, isn't it? Those gym suits were the WORST. I found a photo of a similar one and posted it here: https://flowerchild.substack.com/p/reading-old-diaries
HS was better - and then I skipped town my senior year. The gym suit I wore was like this, but faded & limp. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1733814228/vintage-1960s-broderick-royal-blue?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=blue+gym+uniform&ref=sr_gallery-1-5&sts=1&content_source=b71576bccfca35a14ba57cdc9e5329187e6c018f%253A1733814228&organic_search_click=1
Oh interesting, I didn't have that one. They were all horrible, in any case! Glad to hear HS was better!!