Several years ago, a respected mentor gently suggested to me that I “tone down” some parts of my personality, because it “might be too weird for some people”.
Words cannot describe how much pleasure I gain, daily, from thoroughly ignoring that advice.

Instead, I’ve just chosen to find friends who are as extra and keen and weird as I am.

And then I send them letters.

It was well intentioned advice. I am too OTT and ‘out-there’ for some people, and that led to a lot of heartache in my teens.

And now I’m glad to be confident and secure in myself and my weirdness, and I seek out pals who are equally supportive.