Don’t Feel Like You Fit in With the Crowd? Design Edition
Do you feel like you are forging ahead and trying something new and you just don’t quite fit in? I feel you. Design is my passion, it’s my heart song and my calling. I feel it in my bones and I LOVE every aspect of it. I can’t NOT play with spaces, it’s just not possible.
That doesn’t mean I’m immune to feeling like, and more importantly, knowing I’m doing something different. And by different I mean not mainstream, not the trendy and not the popular. It’s both exciting and insanely frustrating.
I love the idea of being different, I have actively encouraged and followed up the urge and desire to be different. It’s just part of who I am. And knowing I am doing that makes me feel like I have something to offer the world.
And then there are the times when I am hit in the face with knowing that I’m not the mainstream, popularity contest winning and trendy style. When it hits I accept it, I know it and I do my best to move past it. I can’t and won’t ever change the way I see the world, and the way I see the world is directly reflected in my design. It is what it is and despite the challenges that come with forging a path for myself I know it’s an uphill battle, that’s what it’s going to be.
I’m not farmhouse, all white everything, modern, minimalist, scandi, industrial, mid century, trendy, antique, and some say I’m not even boho. Hey bottom line is…..I don’t fit into any one thing. And that makes it tough to build something. It’s damn frustrating, I get it, I’ve been there.
I grit my teeth, put my head down and push harder. My Instagram growth is 100% organic and nurtured by yours truly over the last 2 years. I care about each and every person on there that leaves a comment, becomes a friend or sends me a message. Everyone deserves to know they’ve been heard, and everyone deserves a cheerleader.
I thank my lucky stars mine comes in the form of my husband and my kids. They encourage me in everything I’m doing, lift me up when I’m feeling low and show me I can and should do anything I want to.
I guess the whole point of all this, other than a vent sesh, is to share with you that if you are different (or if you fit into a category I listed) what you are doing is worth sharing. It’s worth nurturing and building on if you feel passionate about it and the desire to share. I’m a whole mix of who the hell knows what. I call it colorful boho chic maximalist. (again there are some in each of those categories other than colorful that don’t think I fit) Maybe I should forge my own design style name…hmmmm Colorfully Eclectic with a Twist. Too long….I’ll brainstorm.
Anywho, you get the point. Don’t let the lack of shares, recognition in winning hashtags, blog viewership or collabs stop you. It will come, and I say this as much for you as for myself. I believe in you, believe in yourself and push past it.
Goddamnit we have something to share and it’s worth it. Being a trailblazer never came easy amiright?
Much love to you all, keep doing your thing whatever it looks like. There is no wrong in design, there’s only you. Do you. I got your back and I get it and I believe in you.
What do you think? Is it getting harder to stand out in the crowd? Or is it the opposite for you and you stand out too much? I love to hear from ya so hit me up in the comments below or send me an email.
And don’t forget to hit up the subscribe box in the sidebar to stay up to date on what’s happenin in Eclectic Twist land.
XXXX&OOOO
Aleksandra Nokes
November 20, 2018I LOVE your design style… it speaks to me. I notice I stand out as well with my home decor and don’t do the traditional or current trend. I mix a lot too, some people tell you not to, why not?! 😉 Keep doing your awesome work. I love your updates.
ttbousu
November 20, 2018Thank you SO very much for this Aleksandra!! I don’t have anyone telling me not to mix, just that I don’t fit into any specific category. That makes it tough to build something you know? Keep rockin it girl!
Bari
November 20, 2018I feel ya, Tina!
ttbousu
November 20, 2018Thanks Bari! I’m a huge fan of yours for the record! xxxx
Anna westwood
November 20, 2018Your words are just what I needed to hear, thank you. I’m going to read it over & over! ?
I do artwork alongside my sister who has set up an online shop. I never have been someone to fit in which is fine but with IG, it’s all new to me & I have wondered why I bother. But you’re right with all that you say so I will continue to bother and care, I will be patient and still be me. Thank you.
ttbousu
November 20, 2018IG is a fickle beast. It can be amazing and it can be a total confidence killer. If you can push past it and focus on the good and why you are doing what you do, you’ll see the benefits and positivity. For me the biggest plus from Instagram has been the people. The comments the connections and new friends make it worthwhile. All the best with your artwork and shop and don’t give up! XXOOO
Amy asnip
November 21, 2018This post hit home with me. I found you because I want to go a different direction than the all white farmhouse that I see every where. I love that style, but I know it’s not me. I love your style. This post hit home though, because I’ve been struggling with my IG. I love IG, but I really want to grow and eventually monetize, but I’m growing at a snails pase. Wondering what I’m doing wrong??? Thanks for the little push to keep doing me!
ttbousu
November 22, 2018Hi Amy! You aren’t doing anything wrong, IG is rough especially with the algorithm all over the place. I hear from huge accounts on down that it’s gotten harder and harder. Just keep going and try not to let it get you down. All the best to you!! xxx
Kami
July 10, 2019Omg, I have been needing to read this! Thank you for opening up about it because there are a lot of us out there who get intimidated by the overwhelming trends and the beautiful photos of them. I love a lot of different design styles but I’m still trying to pinpoint my own personal and unique mix. I struggle with my style sometimes because if a part of it gets too trendy, I begin to like it less. I wander around this frustrating line between wanting to use trends as a tool for my business ideas, and kinda loathing being lumped in with the followers. I like being my unique self and I often find myself getting annoyed when my tastes become TOO trendy–because then it’s just done to death. (And I have this weird fear of being a stereotype, a follower, or “sheeple”.) I’m a mess, what can I say? Haha!! ? I’m bookmarking this post to read whenever I need the reminder to follow MY design heart, and not that of the masses. Thank you! ?
Tina Bousu
July 15, 2019So much truth! I am totally with you, I always try to be different in literally every way, like does everyone have this minivan? I want a different minivan. haha It’s a thing and it means we are authentic to ourselves and don’t want to be like everyone else. I would suggest just doing what feels right to you. I’ve had several instances where something became trendy later, a couple of them I continued to live with for awhile and others I changed. You can just say hey I did it before it was trendy. Trends come and go like the wind and always circle back around at some point. I just don’t pay any attention to it, it’s way better for my mind that way. Stay true to you and what you love!
Suzy
November 22, 2018Here, here! I love your style, I love the way you are free to be and do what you like, and love that you aren’t afraid of failing. You go for it and it’s always amazing! You are amazing! Can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
Christina
November 29, 2018Hi! I’m a long-time lurker/blog reader in the interior design world since 2007… I have watched the trends come and go; YES, it is harder to “fit in” with the trends these days (and is it just me, or is the “new farmhouse” never going away??) However, YOU are memorable! In a sea of same-same-same, YOU stand out! It’s getting harder and harder to seek folks that are using actual color and a variety of styles in their homes. It saddens me, truly. Back in 2007 it was all orange accent walls, mid-century modern, brown, IKEA stuff, but people were genuine and their homes didn’t need $10k countertops.
I admire you for staying true to yourself, your roots, etc. I mean, SERIOUSLY, half the homes I come across are boring, shallow monuments to the current design trend. I struggle in my own home because I’m 40% Artsy Modern Minimal, 40% Maximalist Southern Freakshow, 20% Old World Traditional. So I’m constantly taking in ideas and inspiration so I can express myself, too!
Keep on keepin’ on, don’t compare yourself, you’re like a unicorn in a field of brown horses, girlie! (I do, however, completely support the Unicorn-everything trend, haha!)
ttbousu
November 29, 2018Aww Christina! Thank you SO much for this comment. You are right, I don’t think the “new farmhouse” is going anywhere anytime soon. And I also 100% agree that there aren’t enough of us bucking that trend, but your style sounds pretty fantastic I especially love the freakshow part haha! And I also have to say I completely agree that originality is sorely lacking in design. It should be all about expressing yourself, your personality, the way you see the world and not what Pinterest or a magazine tells you it should look like. Alas, that’s the way it is but I damn well will continue being a unicorn and you will be right there with me amongst those brown horses! lol Much love to you babe! xxxx
Dianne
January 1, 2019I have love love loved your Instagram presence for months now and just very recently found your blog! This current post is fabulous – for a young woman/wife/mother to be so brilliantly confident and individual is so fresh and so unique! Bottle this up and sell it to women, young and old, everywhere!!!!!
Love your home and your decor and your style!
Happy 2019! Create on!
ttbousu
January 1, 2019Aww Dianne!! This means so much to hear, thank you SO very much woman! I intend to continue sharing and if you can help me figure out the bottling part, empowering women on a massive scale would be a dream come true. All the best to you sweets and Happy New Year!!