072:The Business of Being Different: Why Your Weird is Your Power

Being different feels risky, exposed, vulnerable

I was sitting at a horse farm in Brazil, having coffee during my daughter's equestrian class. Phil and I were having a conversation in English (remember, we're in Brazil), when he left to make a call.

There was this quiet 12-year-old girl sitting nearby, and as my 2-year-old son played around, he said something to her. Surprisingly, she replied in perfect English.

"Oh cool, you speak English! Are you Brazilian?" I asked.

"Yes, but my parents taught me English first. I learned Portuguese when I was 5," she replied, explaining that she actually preferred English. Despite us both being Brazilian, we naturally continued our conversation in English – quite unusual for a 12-year-old to have such fluency in another language.

Intrigued by her story, I started asking questions about her school, her connection with horses, and what she loved doing. A beautiful conversation unfolded, until she suddenly said,

"Yeah, but I hate my school. Everybody hates me, and I hate everybody. They all think I'm this weird girl who likes horses."

I was taken aback – she was such a pleasant, interesting kid. When I asked why, she explained,

"Well, because I don't like the same things they like. My interests are very different."

My heart started racing as I thought about how crazy we are as humans, with this unconscious idea that people need to be like us.

Our entire system teaches us to become the same – to like the same things, do the same things, talk about the same things.

And if we don't, we don't fit in.

Then she said something that broke my heart:

"I tried to fit in so many times, but I failed every single one. I just can't."

Her face carried such sadness, as if not fitting in somehow made her not good enough.

I looked at her directly and said,

"I'm happy you failed all the times you tried to fit in. We're not meant for that. And those kids who say they hate you? They probably wish deep inside they could honor their own desires and interests, just like you do. They don't hate you because of you – they say they hate you because deep inside, they hate themselves for fitting in so well."

She opened such a beautiful smile and relaxed her shoulders. I could feel her relief in just being herself.

Why am I sharing this?

From an early age, we trim our preferences and desires to avoid rejection from others. We're wired to follow the mass, to do what everybody is doing, to look like everybody around us. We learned to stop daring, to stop being different.

We were taught not to be weird.

But here's what I want to tell you: you are beautiful as you are. Your value comes from your differences. Your authenticity comes from your unique desires and dreams.

When we finally admit this truth to ourselves, we often experience rejection. The things that once served us no longer do. The people who were once our friends no longer resonate. The work we do doesn't fulfill us anymore.

Why? Because we've outgrown this fake and limiting idea that we need to fit in, that there's one right path, that success means walking the path that most walk.

Here's the thing about embracing your weird: when you've been trying to fit in for too long, authenticity can feel deeply uncomfortable at first. Our system has primed us to see fitting in as normal and safe.

Being different feels risky, exposed, vulnerable.

But think about this for a moment: Who are you when you're with someone who makes you feel completely safe?

Maybe it's your partner, your best friend, or even your pet. Notice how your body feels in these moments – when you can make that stupid joke without thinking twice, when you can make silly faces, when you can say "I'm exhausted" and flop onto the couch without pretending to be fine.

That version of you – the one who shows up without armor, without filters – that's your power. That's your weird. That's your magic.

What if you could bring more of that authentic self into your daily life? Into how you communicate your opinions, your preferences, your truth? Yes, not everyone will agree with you or understand you. But that's not the point.

The point is giving yourself permission to be you for more hours of your day. To let your guard down more often. To trust that your uniqueness is not something to hide but something to celebrate.

Your sacred business must support and encourage this authenticity. It needs to be a space where your weird isn't just accepted – it's essential.

Because when you build a business that aligns with your true nature, you're not just creating a livelihood; you're creating a revolution of authenticity.

And here's the beautiful part: your people are out there. Those who resonate with your unique frequency, your particular brand of weird – they're hiding too, waiting for someone to show them it's safe to be different.

Maybe you're the one who will carve this path forward. Maybe by embracing your uniqueness, you'll give others permission to do the same.

Think about it: every time you show up as yourself, you create a ripple effect of authenticity. You become a living permission slip for others to be themselves too.

Take a moment to reflect:

• What parts of yourself have you been trying to fit into a box that's too small?

• Where in your life are you dimming your light to make others comfortable?

• What would become possible if you fully embraced your "weirdness"?

• Who makes you feel safe enough to be completely yourself?

• What parts of that authentic self could you bring into your work?

Starting today:

• Notice when you're trying to fit in

• Celebrate the things that make you different

• Find spaces and people who appreciate your uniqueness

• Remember: your "weird" is your superpower

• Start small: bring one authentic trait into your work each day

Be weird. Be you. Be unique. Be happy.

With Love,

Carolina

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Happenings

As I am writing this newsletter, we are exploring places in Brazil for inspiration and expansion. Immersing yourself in different locations is such a rich experience for your mind - your eyes open to new forms of construction, diverse ways of being, and varying rhythms of daily life.

In Paraty, I discovered how history and innovation can dance together. The colonial town's whitewashed buildings and cobblestone streets aren't frozen in time - they're alive with contemporary art galleries and modern craftspeople who honor traditional techniques while pushing creative boundaries. It made me reflect deeply on how we can proudly carry our past forward without being confined by it.

Rio de Janeiro shows a different kind of wisdom. Here, I witnessed the beautiful chaos of suited executives crossing paths with barefoot surfers, and century-old trees growing through urban concrete. The city inspired me to see how business and vacation vibes interact so naturally, despite the separation we often create between these two realms in life.

This trip has been opening my eyes to reassess what I want to experience in my daily life, how I can blend structure and spontaneity more often. Rio's integration of work and pleasure is so rich and inspiring that it helped generate new thoughts about what's possible.

While you can read books and feel inspired, I believe in the power of direct experience and experimentation - as we live life, we craft our heaven on earth.

And now I wonder: which destination will next spark new ways of thinking about life for you?

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Here is what I want to share this week …

Some Cool Travel Substacks to Inspire Your Next Adventure:

I've always been a traveler who plans lightly and creates space for unexpected delights. While I give popular spots their due attention, I often find myself drawn to the less-traveled paths where unique experiences await.

When you next venture somewhere new, I invite you to use that journey as an opportunity to intentionally reflect on how you're living and spending your time. Sometimes, a change of scenery is all we need to spark fresh perspectives on life and work.

New places might inspire you to create a business that supports a more flexible, travel-friendly lifestyle, or simply encourage you to reorganize your routine to find more daily joy. Here are two excellent Substacks that share thoughtful travel insights:

• Journeu: https://substack.com/@journeu?utm_source=about-page

• Santorini Dave: https://substack.com/@santorinidave?utm_source=about-page

These writers offer wonderful perspectives on exploring the world while balancing adventure with practicality. Whether you're dreaming of your next destination or seeking ways to blend travel with work, their insights might just spark your next big idea.

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Who We Are Celebrating

Kyle Shepard

In his latest piece "On Negative Thinking Patterns," Kyle Shepard brilliantly explores how our ancient survival programming shapes our modern mindset. His deep dive into the way we process threats and manage our internal dialogue isn't just theoretical—it's a practical roadmap filled with actionable strategies for anyone looking to transform their thinking patterns.

If you're curious about mental resilience, Kyle's Substack is worth checking out. His writing style strikes the perfect balance between scientific insight and relatable experience, offering fresh perspectives on everything from emotional reasoning to overthinking. His latest piece on reframing negative thinking is just one example of the gems you'll find in his newsletter.

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