Hey friends, it’s Tina here. I wanted to share a story with you all about a time I felt completely out of place – maybe some of you can relate!

It was a few months ago, and I had just moved to a new neighborhood. I was really excited about it, but also a little nervous because I didn’t know anyone. One of the first things I did was sign my kids up for the local elementary school, and the school office mentioned that there was a PTA meeting coming up. “Great!” I thought, “This is the perfect chance for me to get involved in the community and meet some new people.”

Boy, was I in for a rude awakening.

From the moment I walked into that PTA meeting, I felt like a total fish out of water. The room was filled with these perfectly put-together moms, all decked out in their yoga pants and North Face jackets, sipping their green juices and talking about their latest charity fundraising efforts. Meanwhile, there I was, still in my work clothes from the day, clutching a lukewarm cup of gas station coffee.

I tried to introduce myself to a few people, but it was like they had some kind of secret handshake or something. They’d smile politely, but then immediately turn back to their little cliques, leaving me standing there awkwardly. I even tried cracking a few jokes to break the ice, but just got blank stares in return. Tough crowd!

And the meeting itself? Woof. It was like watching a high-stakes political debate. Everyone was speaking in this rapid-fire corporate jargon, throwing around acronyms and committee names that made my head spin. I sat there, furiously scribbling notes, hoping I could at least fake my way through it. But when it came time for open discussion, I just clammed up. There was no way I was going to raise my hand and risk saying something stupid in front of this army of Tiger Moms.

By the end of it all, I felt so defeated. I just wanted to slink out of there and go home. These women all seemed to have their lives so perfectly put together, while I was over here feeling like a total mess. I seriously considered not even coming back.

But then I realized – you know what? That’s okay. Not everyone is going to “get” me, and that’s fine. I don’t have to change who I am or how I operate just to fit in with the PTA crowd. So I decided I was going to lean into my quirks and unique perspective, instead of trying to hide them.

The next meeting, I made a point to sit next to someone who seemed a little friendlier and just start chatting. Turned out she was also new to the neighborhood and felt just as out of place as I did! We ended up hitting it off and making plans to get coffee. I also started speaking up more during the discussions, sharing my ideas (even if they weren’t the “proper” PTA way of thinking). And you know what? Sometimes, people actually listened and even built on my suggestions.

It’s still not always easy, and there are definitely days where I still feel like the odd one out. But I’ve learned to be okay with that. I bring value to the group in my own way, and I’m proud of that. And I’ve found my people – the few other moms who “get” me and who I can let my guard down with.

So if you ever find yourself in a situation where you feel completely out of place, just know that it’s a totally normal feeling. But also know that you have the power to carve out your own space and make your mark, even if it’s not the “traditional” way. Embrace your uniqueness, and don’t be afraid to let your freak flag fly. The right people will appreciate it, I promise.

Okay, that’s my spiel for today! Thanks for letting me vent, friends. Wishing you all the best of luck in finding your place, wherever that may be.

-Tina