Unpopularity brings with it a sense of power, autonomy and security that people rarely discuss. Because I purposely live a small, quiet life, I get all of these benefits.
- Nobody wants to steal my car – and this only gets better as my car gets older and dinged up a bit.
- No thieves would be excited to break into my home for my 7 year old ipad, my 4 year old phone and my 5 year old laptop and my $11 stainless steel earring collection.
- Nobody wants to kidnap my non-designer mixed breed dogs
- When I’m out walking a 4:30AM, nobody bothers me.
- My 20 year old appliances serve me well. When they break down, I repair them when it makes sense and replace them when it doesn’t.
I don’t own much of anything worth stealing.
I spend my time doing activities that satisfy and challenge me. Most of these can be done alone and for little cost. They do not bring prestige, fame or notoriety. They don’t advance me in society. Few people seem interested in doing the things I do.
I don’t purposely choose to do things that make me unpopular. I just gravitate toward things that are different than the popular ones.
I always have.
I’m not sure why.
But I am totally comfortable being this way.