I was thinking to myself how weird I am. I was also thinking about how the gift of age has allowed me to own my quirkiness without fear of retribution from they, whoever “they” are. They must be very important whoever they are because everyone quotes they as if they are a god of some sort. They quote they as if they are and all knowing entity about every little thing in life. My day was a little 3-year-old girl who was in the same Sunday school class as me in Harwood, ND, back in the day. I got a coloring page with Daniel and the lion. I could already color within the lines at 3 years old and I thought I was doing splendidly until my Sunday school nemesis said, “You can’t paint your lion purple!” I said, “Yes I can!” To which she replied, “They say lions are yellow with orange only! No purple.” Krissy and I are still friends today despite that Sunday school sin.

Are you tired of pretending to be someone you’re not? Exhausted from the endless charade of fitting into societal norms? Well, my fellow humans, it’s time to unleash the awkward authenticity within you and let your freak flag fly! In a world full of perfectly curated Instagram feeds and polished personas, being authentically awkward is like a breath of fresh air in a room full of airbrushed selfies.

Let’s face it, we’ve all been there – trying to impress someone by pretending to like kale smoothies when all we really want is a greasy cheeseburger. Or attempting to strike up a conversation about quantum physics when our knowledge barely extends beyond basic arithmetic. It’s time to embrace our quirks and embrace the awkwardness that makes us unique.

Picture this: you’re at a fancy dinner party, surrounded by people discussing the latest trends in sustainable living and fine art. Meanwhile, you’re secretly fantasizing about binge-watching cheesy romantic comedies in your miss-matched pajamas. Instead of nodding along like a bobblehead, why not proudly proclaim your love for ridiculously unrealistic love stories and see who else shares your guilty pleasure? Who knows, you might just find your romantic comedy soulmate in the most unexpected place. If you do, dare to go in for the kiss!

Authenticity isn’t about conforming to society’s standards; it’s about embracing your true self, awkwardness and all. So what if you have an irrational fear of electricity or an uncontrollable urge to break into song in the middle of a crowded room? Those quirks are what make you uniquely you, and there’s no shame in owning them.

In fact, embracing your awkward authenticity can lead to some hilariously memorable moments. Like the time you tried to impress your crush by quoting Shakespeare, only to realize halfway through that you were mixing up Romeo and Hamlet. I can neither confirm nor deny that this really happened! Or when you attempted to cook a gourmet meal for your date and ended up setting off the smoke alarm instead. Sure, it might be embarrassing in the moment, but it’s those awkward blunders that make for the best stories later on.

Think of authenticity as your superpower – it’s what sets you apart from the crowd and makes you unforgettable. Hat! By yourself a cape for maximum dramatic, theatrical effect! So the next time you find yourself trying to fit into a mold that doesn’t quite suit you, remember to embrace your awkward authenticity and let your true self shine through. Color the lion purple if you wish! After all, life’s too short to be anything but authentically awkward.

In conclusion, dear readers, let’s make a pact to embrace our quirks, celebrate our awkwardness, and revel in the joy of being unapologetically ourselves. Whether you’re a proud cat enthusiast or a closeted fan of 60’s mod music, own it with confidence and watch as the world falls in love with the wonderfully weird person you were always meant to be. Remember, authenticity is not just a trend – it’s a way of life. So go forth and embrace your awkwardness with pride – you weirdos!

The Blonde on the Prairie is a lover of ND. She is an author and motivational speaker, owner of “Monkey Balls” food truck and Joyologist to the elderly, the disabled and, now, also to children wherever she is needed.