I’m a unicorn

Today’s my day. Today is my unicorn day. Today I’m celebrating that I am weird against my will, that I was born different and that 46 years have passed without me finding my place.

If you’ve been reading my other blog posts, you have a good picture of all the ways something is wrong with me. Not in a way that I shame myself for. But in a way that I was shamed for in too many painful ways in too long a time. By being ghosted, by being ignored, being neglected, being overseen, and definitely by always been misunderstood.

And that although I really can’t tell what’s wrong with me. I’m obnoxiously curious, sure. I’m am naively optimistic (though I used to depressingly pessimistic well into my 20s). I love to love. I can be wild like a little child and stern as a boring professor. I hate unjustified suffering. And I go slightly over my own boundaries to be kind to people who need a little kindness, although the same is hardly ever returned.

I’m not a liar. I don’t manipulate to get what I want. I don’t ignore pain. I don’t cheat, steal (except abandoned shovels maybe), or exploit people. I’m free of drugs. I hardly ever drink. I don’t even litter. If anything, I’m guilty of caring too much, believing too easily, holding on too long. But apparently, in this world, that’s a real crime.

Today I turn 46. Feeling 36 at the most. Having aged 15 years in the past traumatising 5 years, or so it feels.

At the beginning of the year, I re-discovered a children’s song that I played to my little girl repeatedly a few years ago. We love this song so much. It’s about being a unicorn. Up until now, I’ve never actually listened to the words. I was just singing along with my daughter, letting the melody carry us. But that day, I noticed. The words hit differently. I am a unicorn, that's how I was born. And suddenly, it felt like someone had finally put me into words. Not just a silly children's song—an anthem for all of us who don’t belong.

In celebration of all the people who don’t belong—whose empathy, sensitivity, sense of justice, deep compassion, and trust make them weirdos like me—I’m sharing the essence of the song here.. To be reminded that we’re good enough. That there is really nothing wrong with us, except for all the people who think so in our lives. I share these with all the weirdos of this world. To all of us!

I am a unicorn, that's how I was born.
What I say is true, I stand for what’s good.
I am a unicorn, that's how I was born.
I have magical powers, always striving for the best.
I can give you a happy life.

I have often hidden myself,
So far, no one has discovered me.
I live in a rainbow house,
And look out from the window.
I see the people in the world,
And many things I don't like.
But those who believe in me,
I protect with stardust.

So if you’ve ever felt like you don’t belong—like your kindness is wasted, your curiosity is too much, or your heart is too big for this world—just remember: It’s not you. It’s them. And it’s not a flaw. It’s magic.

I AM A UNICORN!