Note No. #18 // The Island of Misfit Toys
Because Normal is Boring, and You’re Meant for More
“‘Normal is what the majority does, which is why ‘different’ is so much more interesting.” – Simon Sinek
Back in high school, my hockey coach had us team up in groups of three for some fun scrimmage drills. My group? A bunch of kids who didn’t quite fit in. One of the girls dubbed us: “The Misfits.”
At the time, I hated it. What 15-year-old wants to be labeled a misfit? It felt like an insult, a reminder that we didn’t belong. But looking back, she wasn’t wrong. None of us really fit in with the rest of the team.
We were our own little Island of Misfit Toys. And over the years, I’ve learned to own that. I’ve embraced the parts of myself that don’t quite fit and gravitated toward people who think differently, live authentically, and challenge the status quo.
What It Means to Be a Misfit
The misfit mentality is about embracing who you are, even when it means standing out. It’s about:
Living Authentically: Misfits aren’t afraid to show up as themselves, quirks and all. They let their individuality shine and refuse to shrink to fit into someone else’s box.
Challenging the Norm: Misfits question the rules. They look at the way things are and ask, Why does it have to be this way? They’re the round pegs in the square holes, the ones who push boundaries and create change.
Being Okay Alone: Sometimes being a misfit means standing on your own. It can feel lonely, but it’s also empowering. It teaches you to trust yourself, listen to your intuition, and find strength in your individuality.
Finding Your People: Misfits don’t need everyone to understand them—they just need the right people. The ones who embrace their differences, inspire them to grow, and celebrate their unique perspective. And if you can find your tribe, create you own island of misfits.
You Play by Your Own Rules. Being a misfit means letting go of the need to conform and creating a life that feels authentic to you.
Owning My Misfit Mentality
That kid in me still struggles with being a misfit sometimes. There are moments of loneliness when I feel like I don’t belong. But most of the time, I own it.
Even this newsletter is dedicated to those who forge their own path, defy the norm, and refuse to live by someone else’s rules. I’ve learned that “normal” is overrated. The best things in life happen when you stop trying to fit in and start embracing who you are.
Here’s to the Misfits
Steve Jobs said it best:
“Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”
The Island of Misfit Toys wasn’t a place for broken or lesser things—it was a place for the unique. A place where those who didn’t fit into the mold found belonging by embracing who they were.
That’s what I want for myself. That’s what I want for you.
The world doesn’t need more people trying to blend in. It needs more misfits—people who challenge the status quo, live boldly, and remind us that normal is boring.
A Question for You
What does being a misfit mean to you? Where in your life are you breaking the rules, creating your own path, or challenging the status quo? I’d love to hear how you’re embracing your inner misfit.
P.S. Something fun is brewing behind the scenes! Can’t spill the beans just yet, but keep an eye out next week (or the one after) for the reveal. Stay tuned! 😉
I feel like everyone in our family is a little bit of a misfit. Maybe that is true for everyone everywhere. We work so hard to fit in, but our true superpower is our own uniqueness. It's what makes us stand out in a world of "normal."