Just when you thought you heard of every holiday – Introvert Day on January 2nd, Act Happy Week in March, Baby Boomer’s Recognition Day June 22, and many more. Some days celebrate more than one thing.
There may be other holidays on January 10 but the one each of us can celebrate is Peculiar People Day. Even people responsible for finding the origin of holidays couldn’t track things down. They speculate it might have something to do with a branch of the Wesleyan church, named Peculiar People. Who knew that?
If you like using any excuse for a holiday like I do, then now’s the time celebrate your unique and peculiar style on January 10.
Everyone knows someone peculiar.
We likely all meet people everyday, or have someone in their family who we consider to be authentically peculiar. Without naming names I know – a hoarder, a drug addict, someone who wears their pants to let their butt show (yuck), someone who opens their mail just once a month and my list could go on.
For us more introverted, if we consider ourselves peculiar it’s likely in a different, maybe peculiar way. Here are some kick-start ideas for you to consider how to move forward from thinking peculiar to unique.
Let your light shine.
Why try to conform? Then we just blend in. If you think, “Oh, but, by standing out people notice I’m different.” We’re all different!
[Tweet “When we appreciate our #introvert or extrovert distinctiveness, the next step is to let it shine.”]
What’s really peculiar is some people find their differences inhibit them and others find they give them distinctiveness and power.
Are you letting your light shine, or are you hiding it?
Brighten up your life.
It’s winter. Considering it might be already kind of dim and dreary in some parts of the world because of the time of year, we might even need to brighten up our life. 
You could try adding some bright colors to either your wardrobe or your environment.
When there is sunshine, get out and let it shine on you.
Are you practicing daily gratitude I’ve found this to be one of the most uplifting couple of minutes of my day. I journal at least 2 or 3 things or people I’m grateful for every day. You can easily make being grateful for someone or something a daily habit.
If we all ready feel peculiar, we’re probably hibernating to a degree. Spend time thinking about, researching or finding how you can make your own life brighter.
Think before you decide.
We more introverted like to think things through. We might think we don’t fit in, or maybe that people don’t “get” us or that we cannot do certain things the more extroverted seemingly do easily. Then stop and think it through.
First, if we don’t understand who we are then step back and get to know you. This is one of the only places that the label introvert or extrovert is helpful.
Secondly, we can always find things we have in common with others whether it’s sports, music or some kind of hobby. That right there my friend means two things: you are not as unique as you think and nor are you that peculiar.
Discovering our uniqueness in the way of gifts, talents, positive traits, will lead us eventually to know, we are unique.
But I say, let’s use that to get into the real spirit of the holiday, Peculiar People Day.
Defintitely hope I’m considered peculiar or different. All interesting people are:-)
Oh yes Catarina – I’d say you fit right in with me! And I like that reframe of peculiar = interesting.
We’re all unique — there isn’t anyone like anyone else. Whether we use that uniqueness to let our light shine through or try to do good to be good is a very personal decision. I hope that my epitaph reads “She was a good person.”
Peculiar equals unique. I love how you are writing your epitaph too Jeannette.
Hi Patricia – I love the Edward Young quote. So often we feel we must ‘fit in’ that we end up fitting in so well that we no longer can be seen as individuals. I didn’t realize there was a specific peculiar people day but now that I know I’ll be celebrating my peculiarities next year.
These kind of holidays always make me wonder HOW on earth did that come up. I’m celebrating too Lenie! We’re all a bit peculiar aren’t we?
Hi Pat; I love this post. There is such a fine line between peculiar and unique. To me its all in whether or not you embrace it. and you are right about our differences being good if you want to draw attention to yourself. one of the things that has helped me a lot in my blogging career is that i am one of the few blind bloggers i started working in a unique field selling amusement equipment and i leave long sometimes rambling but memorable comments. i was also thinking about what you said about brightening up your wardrobe. being fat for years most of my clothes are dark colors black red navy etc. so i think the next time i go shopping i’m going to make a point of getting something bright. to use the tired line maybe i can find a shirt so bright steevy wonder can see. lol i know one thing for sure you my friend are unique and i’m glad to know you. take care, max
Indeed there likely is a fine line between peculiar and unique. And I like what you say may make the difference: the embracing of either. Love to know how the brighter wardrobe works for you Max!
Who me? Peculiar??? Oh… well in defense, I’d have to say that the most interesting people are often peculiar and rarely universally liked:) Or is that my excuse for being a curmudgeon? I like the whole idea of each of us being unique, or even peculiar in some manner. And I love the idea of lighting up life with color, and letting that light shine:) As always, you inspire me Patricia!
I’m liking how you said, most interesting people ARE often peculiar. Indeed that lets almost everyone in to celebrate their uniqueness Jacqueline. Bet you are right at the front of the line with me my friend!
We are all unique. And a little peculiar. And that is great. I love the peculiar people in my life. I like the idea of brightening up our lives with our uniqueness. Thanks Patricia.
Donna it’s so true isn’t it? That we are all uniquely peculiar! It’s yet another holiday all of us can celebrate for sure.
Hi Patricia, I had to chuckle at your list of peculiar people you know. Then I immediately started making a mental list of the nut jobs in my life. Lol. But that is what makes life interesting isn’t it? It would be really boring if we were all Stepford wives and everyone was all the same.
Now the phrase – nut jobs – really made me laugh Susan! Thanks I needed that. Yuck, Stepford wives. That movie always freaked me out and made me want to be even more peculiar than I already was.
I have always taken it as a compliment when called weird by those who know me. It was never meant in a bad way so anything that reinforces our individuality has got to be a good thing, in my opinion 🙂
Tim that is so true that our peculiarity is our individuality. Why not love that about ourselves instead of hiding it? Thanks!
I think we all know people who act or present themselves in a peculiar way in order to call attention to themselves. that’s more about theater rather than being truly peculiar. It’s is the latter that I value in friends and acquaintances.
Definitely true Ken. There is a distinction in being peculiar on purpose to get attention, or being peculiar just as you are.
It’s the ‘peculiar’ that makes people interesting I think, though of course it can go too far. But best to embrace our differences and make the most of who we are. Thanks for the reminders for daily gratitude Pat. One can’t say it too often.
I’m with you AK – our being peculiar is what makes us US. Otherwise we are all just clones. How boring. Thanks.
Hoping to be rich enough some day that they call me “eccentric”. Until then I will embrace “peculiar”.
Great distinction Kire. I’ll go with – eccentrically peculiar. Thanks.
I am someone who has pushed back against labels my whole life. As for me, I consider myself one of a kind and in reality every single person on this Earth is the same. There is no one quite like me, or you, and there never will be. I suppose I can see we need some labels, but I believe where they go wrong is that it becomes far too easy to put people into nice little boxes and make assumptions about them which is wrong on SO many levels.
As I corporate trainer my use of labels is to put everyone on the same page, not to put people in boxes. Our peculiarities are indeed part of our uniqueness Marquita.
“Peculiar” is very much a relative term: in most cases “peculiar” people can give eminently reasonable rationales for their “peculiarities”.
For example, I don’t watch television to any extent – indeed, I don’t even own a TV – and most people will find this peculiar. (“What do you do at night?“) However, given my view that 90+% of what’s on television is utter garbage, I think of myself as a normal person for not watching television. In my book, the TV watchers are the weird ones. It sincerely baffles me that so many people seem to get something out of the stream of sewage that is television programming.
I get it Andy. I suppose tv is an addiction like any other. Once you’re hooked on it, it’s difficult to give it up.
Oh yes, I’m definitely peculiar. 🙂 I’ve been cultivating my unique aura of peculiarity for decades now. Why both fitting in with with rest of the world when you can fit in with yourself? Happy Peculiar People day to us!
It is amazing how it can take so long for some of us to get that – it’s actually wonderful to be – peculiar! Glad you got it sooner SuperMommy.
I love this post! Fortunately we’re all different and we’re all peculiar in some ways. I treasure some of my peculiar qualities and have decided that I don’t care if other people don’t approve. I enjoy the unique qualities of friends who hold their heads up and celebrate their peculiarities.
Thanks Beth. I think you’ve hit on a key point: treasure your peculiarities. That’s where the fun begins.
No two people are the same. As a teen I wondered why I was socially awkward, why I liked my own space and preferred speaking one on.one. I had never heard of an introvert. I accepted that I was strange and struggled with this idea that nobody fully understood me.
Isn’t that the truth Phoenicia? And isn’t that just fabulous? Truthfully, I can’t handle just thinking there might be another me. We are all peculiar.
I just had to take the peculiar label and run with it. Early on, if the majority around me thought one thing, I veered toward the opposite. I think it was also good when students could hear me say I not perfect when I was young. Everyone spends so much time pretending to be this or that. It must be exhausting!