What Will Your Revolution Look Like?

And how can you sustain yourself through the process?

I am not cool.

I don’t say that to fish for compliments. It’s just fact. I’ve been a nerd since before it was something to wear as a badge of honor.

Not in the 80s when I was a kid…

I’m introverted, highly sensitive, and reserved. I live in my head more than I care to admit. My idea of a great day off is to read an entire biography or wander through a museum from open to close.

I don’t keep up with trends, discover the next great thing, or curate a fashionable wardrobe. I’m often flustered under pressure or when my emotions are aroused.

In no sense of the word am I cool. And while I wished I were when I was a kid, I’ve come to accept that coolness isn’t my gift.

We live in a society that still holds up cool people for admiration. And they can be fun, vibrant, and inspiring. But I suspect I’d never hold up under that kind of spotlight.

Alternatives to Cool

So, what am I, if not cool?

I am:

·      An old soul

·      A sharp wit

·      An open heart who cares a bit too much

·      A hopeless optimist in the mantle of a grizzled realist

·      A non-violent revolutionary

·      An idealist with a wide pragmatic streak

·      A spokesperson for creatures otherwise unheard

·      A cheerleader for the underdog

·      A needler for change, justice, peace, and love

Wait! A revolutionary? How does that fit with the rest of this nerdy package? (And no, being called a nerd is not something that offends me!)

Embracing and Broadening What Revolution Means

It’s become easier to accept that I’m not cool as I’ve accepted my identity as a revolutionary. I can’t be both.

And revolutionary fits this nerd to a tee.

I want society to radically change, to become truly interdependent, loving, and compassionate. Our current systems are harmful, not viable. I want us to collectively build new ones that support all of us and our environment in sustainable ways.

Being a revolutionary doesn’t necessarily mean peaceful protesting and political marches, although I’ve done my share of those in the past and we certainly need that form of action. Choosing how to carry out your revolution in a way that fits your life at this moment is vital, since you’re matching your values and goals to the process of revolution.

And why I think you need to be revolutionary? In her book The Highly Sensitive Person, Dr. Elaine Aron points out that people like us are born to have a transformative impact on society:

“to direct the wonderful, expansive energy of their society away from aggression and domination. Better to use that energy for creative inventions, exploration, and protection of the planet and the powerless.”

In other words, we are born to make a revolutionary impact on the world.

We just have to figure out how to do that without being crushed under the weight of our own feelings and thoughts.

My Singularly Sensitive Revolution

My revolution is structured in the ways that work for me: writing, supporting clients, creating tools like journals and guided imagery. I write letters, engage in political advocacy, spend according to my values, vote and support the rights of others to vote. Because of chronic health issues, you won’t find me marching or sitting in at this stage in my life, but I will donate to causes that support those who do and amplify their messages.

This personalized approach is my Singularly Sensitive way to be revolutionary. It’s intentionally anti-capitalist, so I give myself permission to rest, play, connect with and learn from other people. I leave space to attend to my needs without being pressured into constant productivity. The process of this revolution has to be new and fresh—I can’t dismantle broken systems using the oppressive tools that built and uphold them.

What Will Your Revolution Look Like?

My gift is helping sensitive people find their authentic, personalized ways to live and achieve what matters to them. I elevate voices that are making a difference in the world, remaking our institutions and systems. I support changemakers in figuring out how to be transformative without burning out or losing hope.

If you’d like to lean into your own revolutionary qualities, I’d love to feed the flames. I believe you can transform the world around you to fit your beautiful vision that goes way beyond being cool. Reach out and let’s discuss how you can be revolutionary in your own, Singularly Sensitive way.