My husband and I have a running joke.

One of us asks, “Why are you so odd?”

The other responds, “Because of POE (Product Of Environment).”

In other words, we say the other person causes our oddness.

Well, today that changed. While we were out for our afternoon walk, I informed my husband that I’m leaning into my oddness.

He responded, ” So, you’re owning your oddness?”

100%.

Changing the negative connotation

Think about it. When we say that someone is creative or unique, we think positive thoughts associated with those words.

Oddness, not so much.

And I’m here to change that. Here are some ways I consider myself odd:

• In the middle of summer, I drink hot tea in the evening.
• I would much rather read a personal development book (self-help, self-improvement) over a novel any day of the week.
• I prefer listening to music over watching tv.
• When I do watch tv, I never tire of watching episodes of Schitt’s Creek. I think I’ve rewatched the series six times now.
• Whenever I eat something sweet, I usually have to follow it up with eating something salty.
• I can’t stand having dry hands. I’m constantly applying lotion.
• I enjoy celebrations for others but not for myself.
• When someone says they are going to change, I break into song, “Don’t go changing to try to please me.”
• I eat the cheese off the top of the pizza and then the crust.

You might read my list and not consider any of these items odd.

Maybe it means that you’re odd too. If so, welcome to owning your oddness.

I used to think these peculiarities were something to hide. I was borderline embarrassed, but something changed. I decided to wear my oddness as a badge of individuality. These qualities make me who I am. Instead of hiding them, I decided it was time to embrace them.

It was time to own them proudly.

And so now I do.

Call to action.

I want to challenge you to look at the little behaviors and things you do that might seem a little off kilter, you know, a little odd.

Look at your little idiosyncrasies. Look at what makes you, you.

And then own it. Command your oddness like you’re strutting your stuff on the catwalk. You won’t regret it.

Be well, friends.