Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Embrace your unique qualities
• Method 2 of 3: Form positive relationships
• Method 3 of 3: Dealing with differences

People are not all the same. We don't all look the same, act the same, have the same skills, and don't have the same religion or values. Some people can walk, see, talk, and hear with ease, while others need help or have other ways to do this. To be able to deal with being different, you can embrace your outspoken qualities, build positive social relationships and deal with them in a healthy way.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Embrace your unique qualities

1. Accept that you are unique. Accepting yourself can help you embrace your special qualities and learn how to deal with being different from others. Rather than trying to change something about yourself, you should first be able to accept who you are and what you look like at the moment.
   • Start by defining your unique qualities. Examples could be your: religion, culture, diet (if you are vegan, etc.), medical background, disability and physical characteristics. List all these "other" qualities and consciously accept them all. Go through the list and say or think to yourself, "I accept my religion. It may be different from others, but that doesn't make it any less positive. I embrace my unique beliefs and values. They are just as important and believable as the beliefs of my own." others ".
   • If you find yourself thinking negatively, such as "it doesn't make me good enough," about any of your unique qualities, think to yourself, "No, I accept it. It is not bad. It's part of who I am ”.
   • Distinguishing yourself from others by thinking you are different can actually help you protect your confidence in certain situations. Tell yourself "Yes, I am different. Yes, I am unique. I am cool and awesome and no one can change that"!
2. Review your unique qualities. You may see your different qualities as shortcomings, but they are not, they are what makes you special. Take every single quality you have and get meaning from it.
   • For example, let's say you have a physical disability, how has this disability helped you grow? What have you learned from it and what values ​​have you obtained? Many people feel that their struggles have taught them great lessons in life, especially to appreciate and value what you have instead of focusing on what you don't have.
   • Avoid thoughts of inadequacy. If you think "I'm not good enough, pretty enough, smart enough," change those thoughts to "I'm good enough for myself. I don't have to be the most handsome or the smartest to feel good about myself. I am who I am and that is why I love myself ".
3. Realize what you have in common with others. Don't define yourself as completely different from other people. This can make you feel excluded, left out, or rejected. Instead, look at how you look like others.
   • For example, we are all human and share many of the same genes. In fact, we actually share 98% of our genes with chimpanzees, so we're not that different from them either. We are all living, breathing beings.
   • If you feel very different from certain people, recognize your common traits. Some examples could be human, having particular interests, or speaking a particular language. You may begin to see how similar we are in certain aspects.
4. Be proud of your background. Being different isn't that bad - embrace the unique qualities you have that have come about through your upbringing, culture, and family values.
   • Find and focus on the positive aspects of your unique culture. Cultural components can include language, religion, traditions, clothing, holidays, values, standards, gender roles, social roles, professions and more.
   • If you dress differently or have a different religion, that makes you interesting.

Method 2 of 3: Form positive relationships

1. Increase your confidence. Having positive relationships with others is a critical part of being able to cope with being different. We need social connection, and a sense of belonging, to have a positive sense of well-being. People are drawn to positive and confident individuals. You need confidence to face your fears and meet new people.
   • Use positive self-talk. Don't blame yourself or beat yourself up with it. Examples could include thoughts like “What a failure! I can't do anything right! ”
   • Try mindfulness. Mindfulness can help people become less judgmental and accept themselves better. Notice everything around you. What colors or objects do you see? What do you feel now? What do you hear? Be aware of your own thoughts, feelings and surroundings.
   • Everyone has something that makes them feel cool and perfect. So do that. Buy cool clothes, sing, dance, act - anything that makes you feel great.
2. Find people who are just like you. When you feel different and possibly socially rejected, it can help you find a group of people who are just like you (in culture, ethnicity, religion, interests, disabilities, appearance, values, and so on). Everyone needs to feel part of a community, to have a sense of happiness and well-being.
   • Join a club or class of people with similar thoughts. A few examples are: science, math, drama, dance, choir, yearbook and student associations.
   • Join a sports club at school or in your spare time, such as: basketball, volleyball, football, rugby, hiking, cross-country, water polo, tennis or dancing.
   • Try Meetup.com where you can find any kind of group you want, including: hiking, painting, video games, rock climbing and much more. Make sure it is safe and if you are a minor make sure your parent or guardian knows about it.
3. Be true. Authenticity is important in establishing positive contacts with others. Nobody wants to interact or connect with someone who puts on a mask. Be your very own unique self. Avoid changing your personality (talking or acting in a certain way) to try to fit in.
   • Shout whenever you want (and don't get in trouble), run everywhere, make crazy songs. Do whatever you want! Don't change yourself for anyone unless you want to.
   • When you are calm, be quiet. If you are a hippie at heart, be a hippie.
   • create your own style. If you really love Abercrombie wear it, but don't wear it because everyone else is wearing it. If you like jeans and dresses, wear them.

Method 3 of 3: Dealing with differences

1. Explain things to others about yourself. By teaching others about your culture, values, and personal traits, you can help reduce the stigma or negative stereotypes associated with your unique qualities. When people are informed, they sometimes open up and learn to accept diversity and differences in people.
   • Start talking about yourself with people you trust and feel you can trust.
   • The more you practice being confident when talking about yourself, your history, and your culture, the easier it will become.
2. Be assertive with bullies. Unfortunately, being different, including having a disability or being overweight, can sometimes increase social rejection or bullying. If certain people are pushing you down or calling you names, you can deal with it the right way by being assertive with them. Assertiveness means being open about how you think and feel, while respecting the other person.
   • An example of assertiveness is the use of “I statements”. An example would be if you say "I feel angry when you say I'm weird". You focus on your own feelings instead of the behavior of the other. Their behavior is secondary to how you feel. You can continue this statement with further explanation by saying "I am different, but we all are. I would appreciate it if you didn't call me weird. I respect you, and I expect to be treated fairly the other way around."
   • Another way to be assertive is to set a boundary. For example, you could say, "I'd like you to stop calling me weird. If you decide to go ahead with that, then I'll have to keep your distance. I don't accept being called names."
   • If you are consistently verbally or physically bullied, ask for help from teachers, counselors or the head of your school.
3. Learn about "other" people. Find information about Led Zeppelin, Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King and the hippie movement, you can learn a lot from them. In the opinion of some, they are the original unique and cool people. They stood out in a crowd, dared to be different, and some of them even risked their lives to fight for what they believed in.
   • Develop a role model or personal hero that you can look up to. Think about how this person would behave if she were in your situation.