Today’s post feels like quite a random one. Random in the sense that it was inspired by a quote that I was reminded of recently and then I instantly felt like putting this post together – maybe spontaneous would be a better word, but these ‘spare of the moment’ type posts are always my favourite to get stuck into. And yes, before absolutely no one asks, I did name this post after the Luther Vandross hit.
If you follow me over on Instagram, or having been reading this blog for a long time, you’ll know that I’m a big fan of a hard hitting quote. I love books, and films, and long conversations – I think it’s just because I love searching for those words that stick. The words that we collect and carry around with us because they teach us about ourselves. What type of person we are, what makes us tick, what keeps us up worrying at night…
For me, appreciating art and being creative has always been a form of trying to discover myself along the way. I’m always excited when I meet someone who’s happy to chat on the same level that I enjoy – no small talk or pleasantries. The intense, deep conversations that really suck you in and make you remember why humans are so great.
I’ve often been made to feel like I’m ‘too much’ for feeling this way about life. It’s been a theme in my life that people have made me feel too emotional or too empathetic. I’ve always felt like I looked at the world a bit differently to most people around me, and I guess that naturally makes you a bit of an inward character. Someone who seeks solace at the cinema or the pages of a new book. Eagerly standing in front of a painting waiting for something to pop out and give you all the answers…
As I’ve got older, this is the part of me that I’m most proud of – despite it feeling like a blessing and a curse at times. It enables me to connect with the right people on a deeper level, and it also allows me to tap into the part of my brain that helps me write blog posts each week. The thoughtful, over analytical part that never quite seems to switch off. Without getting all Tumblr on you, I thought the below quote by Zooey Deschanel perfectly summed up the sentiment I’m trying to get across in this blog post. Again, I’m a sucker for words and this always comes to mind when I think about the way my brain works and the way I’ve been made to feel like I can be too intense for feeling things deeply…
“Being tender and open is beautiful. As a woman, I feel continually shhh’ed. Too sensitive. Too mushy. Too wishy washy. Blah blah. Don’t let someone steal your tenderness. Don’t allow the coldness and fear of others to tarnish your perfectly vulnerable beating heart. Nothing is more powerful than allowing yourself to truly be affected by things.”
– Zooey Deschanel
I’m sure so many of you will have been made to feel the same at some point. I guess this is my reminder that often what other people view as our weaknesses, end up being our super powers. There have been times when I’ve just wanted to shut my brain up, to switch it off, or just numb it completely. The more comfortable I’ve become with the person that I am, the less I let these types of counterproductive thoughts invade my time. After all, how boring would it be to dull the parts of ourselves that make us unique and interesting?
When the right people walk into your life, I feel like the communication part is always easy. The people that let you be open, and silly, and weird. The people that ask you questions about your thoughts and observe things about you that you’d never even noticed before. The people that compliment your soul and that make you feel held.
Anybody that tells you you’re too much of anything isn’t the right type of person to have around in my opinion. To remain open minded and thoughtful about the world is truly a rare thing these days, and I for one gravitate towards those sorts of people as often as I can…
Photographs taken by Catherine Booty
Blazer – vintage, Two piece set c/o – Olana, Shoes – Total Vintage, Bag – Etsy
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I’m also a fan of a hard hitting quote (as you probably know aha). You’re completely right though, anyone who makes you feel like you need to dampen your personality or dream less, isn’t a person you need around you. Xx
Exactly! People who encourage us to dream more are the ones xx
This post resonates with me so much Alice. I too have often felt distant from other people because I’ve always been a deep thinker. I seek out meaningful connections and am not one to engage in small talk. Growing up I always felt like I was on a different wavelength from other girls my age, and this resulted in it being difficult for me to find true, genuine friends. Gradually I have realized that my empathy and thoughtfulness are what make me unique, and the right kind of people will connect with that. I have been thinking about this a lot lately and this post has really reinforced my thoughts on the topic. Thank you so much for being so open and vulnerable in your writing – you often say exactly what is on my mind and you remain one of my favourite content creators for this reason!
Sydney Russo | thesydneystories.com
Thank you! Kind and thoughtful comments like yours are truly what keeps me writing. I hesitate before posting stuff like this for the very reasons I discuss within the post – I sort of trick myself into that ‘who really cares what’s going on inside my head’ type of thing. So encouraging when people connect with it, so thank you again for appreciating & lots of love to you xx