My psych likes to review the past a lot as to why I react to certain events without knowing that I’m being triggered. One of the things that was touched upon was the difference between feeling accepted at university compared to when I was in school, and I mentioned that unlike the mainstream interests of boys, pop stars, music, fashion, makeup etc that my peers were into *i went to an all girls school in addition* my interests were not really “normal “ for fitting in.
For a start I was obsessed with dinosaurs and got into a fight (verbal fight, I got a detention for arguing back)with some girl who claimed that they had been put there by god as a fake to confuse people. I’d consume everything related to dinosaurs and would often ramble a list of facts to anyone around. In addition to this, I was obsessEd with the lion king *it was my Special special interest* and would listen to the soundtracks on repeat, collect everything related to it. I would also quote it endlessly and give facts about the film on loop. I’m annoying myself even thinking about it.
It’s NOT really surprising that I was bullied relentlessly for this and the additional obvious differences and I kinda hate myself that I just wouldn’t give something so mainstream “normal” a chance. The difference with university was that nerds were becoming more acceptable and I was not as obsessed with the lion king, I had broadening interests.
And then there’s now. I have interests that aren’t entirely mainstream like interested in certain bands or pop stars or actors but I am into nerd fandoms and still like Disney things. It’s annoying that this is more acceptable now but I’m riding that wave. But I think one of the reasons why I expanded My interests out as I got older is subconsciously because I’m trying to fit in still despite having other social related anxieties that even now my special interests are impactful *even if they’re more acceptable now.
I have had mostly negative responses to my special interests over the years, and they’re pretty tame compared to some others that I knew from uni. Has anyone else felt that their special interest has impacted them socially? Have they been perceived in A good way?
For a start I was obsessed with dinosaurs and got into a fight (verbal fight, I got a detention for arguing back)with some girl who claimed that they had been put there by god as a fake to confuse people. I’d consume everything related to dinosaurs and would often ramble a list of facts to anyone around. In addition to this, I was obsessEd with the lion king *it was my Special special interest* and would listen to the soundtracks on repeat, collect everything related to it. I would also quote it endlessly and give facts about the film on loop. I’m annoying myself even thinking about it.
It’s NOT really surprising that I was bullied relentlessly for this and the additional obvious differences and I kinda hate myself that I just wouldn’t give something so mainstream “normal” a chance. The difference with university was that nerds were becoming more acceptable and I was not as obsessed with the lion king, I had broadening interests.
And then there’s now. I have interests that aren’t entirely mainstream like interested in certain bands or pop stars or actors but I am into nerd fandoms and still like Disney things. It’s annoying that this is more acceptable now but I’m riding that wave. But I think one of the reasons why I expanded My interests out as I got older is subconsciously because I’m trying to fit in still despite having other social related anxieties that even now my special interests are impactful *even if they’re more acceptable now.
I have had mostly negative responses to my special interests over the years, and they’re pretty tame compared to some others that I knew from uni. Has anyone else felt that their special interest has impacted them socially? Have they been perceived in A good way?