Steemit Happiness Tip: Find Your Tribe of Weirdos

I knew my job was done well when she walked out the door shaking her head and saying how cute he was.

Here's a Steemit happiness tip for you - especially if you're kind of out there on your own, like creatives tend to be. Ever notice how new stuff seems really weird at first - then you get used to it, and it doesn't seem weird at all? Like the first time you taste kale (wait, bad example).

Um, like when you see your grandfather running around in the Scottish kilt he just bought - and he's got the full regalia going. Jacobean shirt, the socks, the shoes, the flares, the sporran (bag - don't' call it a purse)... the daggers. Oh, and he's yelling, "Kill the Anglish!"

At first, it probably seems a little weird (well, actually, maybe it seems weird for a while... but you know what I mean) - and then you kind of get used to it.

That happened when my daughter and I visited my Dad and step-mom recently. You might think a teenaged girl would find this behavior a little... odd.

Sadly (actually, happily), she is completely used to the men in my life running around in kilts. It's the garb of preference in the shop at Airkooled Kustoms. My brothers are also into our heritage. We go to Renaissance festivals now and then. Oh, and she's into cosplay, anyway.

It's all a matter of what seems NORMAL to you.

So here's the thing. If you're the only Steemit user or creative you know, what you're trying to do probably seems like it's anything BUT normal. I mean, here we are, pouring our hearts into sharing our stories and wisdom and creativity with complete strangers. Possibly for gain, but often for just a couple of pennies... so obviously financial rewards aren't the only reason we're doing it. We look pretty weird to the people around us.

When I was at Ryan Moran's Freedom Fast Lane Live event in Austin (December 2015), there were a few times he and other speakers on the stage said, "Normalize that shit!" in reference to this fact. When we surround ourselves with people who are something - good or bad - it begins to seem normal. They were talking about the benefits of hanging out with people who are doing what you hope to do - people who are already doing what other people in your life might say is impossible.

Are you hanging out (virtually or in real life) with people who are making a go of doing creative work - and sharing it on Steemit? Or, are you the only one you know who's walking this path?

Just having that kind of fellowship with folks who know the path you're on can help a lot. You don't have to do what they're doing - or do it the way they're doing it! But the more you connect with others who are going all-out in their efforts with Steemit or any other creative endeavor, the more that will start to seem normal.

Did you know there are multiple Facebook groups where you can connect with Steemit users? And of course there's a Steemit Facebook page (wonder how Zuckerberg feels about that?!). My page for Working Writer, Happy Writer students is also open to all - and if you're a writer, that would be a good place to connect. The point is, there are so many ways you can connect - even just virtually - with people who are walking the same path you're on. You don't have to go it alone.

Do Pioneers REALLY Get Slaughtered?

As humans, we don't really want to be the first guy in the pool. We don't feel safe being the pioneer. What's the saying - "pioneers get slaughtered while settlers prosper"? I'm thinking there's safety in numbers - even for pioneers... even if there aren't that many of us. Just having a core group of people you know have your back and are there to cheer you on - that's what helps.

Right there with you in weirdness, and wishing you an overflowing mug of Steemit Happiness.

Susan

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