Superpowers
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Jessica Breazeale
Have you ever walked into a room and felt like you didn’t fit in—maybe at work, a social event, or even at church? As we get older, we care less about “fitting in”, but it still matters – somewhat. It matters because that sense of belonging shapes how we feel. I like to reframe “fitting in” by redefining it.
Fitting in, to me, means being a missing puzzle piece, but sometimes I ask myself: Am I really the puzzle piece needed here to complete the puzzle?
Fitting in, to me, means being an added paint color, but sometimes I ask myself: am I really the Pantone that’s needed to make this picture pop, or is my color even necessary here…is it already beautiful as is? Sometimes, the answer is yes, and sometimes it’s no. And that’s okay.
Average to Gen Z is, like, totally mid—it’s the basic, typical vibe that isn't standing out or bussin' but it's also not a total fail. It’s the vibe check on the normal, the middle-of-the-road content that’s just, well, average.
• "Mid": Abbreviation for mediocre; used to describe something average or unimpressive.
• "Basic": Lacking originality; the standard, expected average.
• "Valid, but mid": Something okay, but not exceptional.
While I’m not Gen Z or speak their language very well, I can say I don’t let average (or “mid”) define me—I believe my superpowers do.
So, what are your superpowers?
You might think you don’t have any, but you do!
What makes you stand out?
What makes you come alive?
What do others come to you for?
Your superpowers give you the strength to never worry about being “mid”. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, ‘No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.’ We hear you, Eleanor. Loud and clear! Have you ever had someone make you feel inferior? I know I have…and I do not consent. Do you?
As a public relations professional, I worked at jobs where I was expected to do the work of many people – an entire team. Sounds really unrealistic, right? It was emotionally and physically taxing, and it was unfortunately my daily norm.
Even though that season was extremely stressful and challenging, I realized later I had developed so many skills that became invaluable! It was hard at the time, but now I realize the real reward was in the hard. I’m better now for those unrealistic expectations that were placed on me, with new superpowers.
The experience made me stronger, more flexible, and more resilient. This is why I’m the extreme multitasker I am today. While some might say, “She’s doing too much,” I actually don’t know how to thrive without juggling 700 things at any given moment.
According to The 2023 Girls' Index by ROX, only 55% of 17,500 surveyed U.S. girls in grades 5-12 report feeling confident, a significant drop from 68% in 2017. Confidence plummeted most among younger girls, with 5th-grade confidence dropping from 86% to 68%. Why the decline? Why are these girls feeling less confident?
Could it be the rise in social media usage? 46% of girls now spend 6+ hours daily on these platforms, which correlates with higher rates of stress, sadness, and lower self-image. I’m sure the people who try to make you feel inferior don’t help either, right?
Are these girls trying too hard to fit in where they were born to stand out?
Are they not aware of their superpowers and just need someone to help them discover those?
This is a good place to stop and say this: Why compare yourself to others? You were born for uniqueness. Literally.
This realization should take away the desperate quest for approval. Accepting this truth would alleviate the need to compete, be liked, fit in, and feel the longing and ultimate void that will leave you with.
Because of the professional tough time I encountered, I gained skills I didn’t have before—like website design, graphic design, and digital marketing. And through all these business challenges, I discovered my greatest superpower: it’s not in the office or any boardroom, but in ministry.
The skills I gained—like communication, leadership, and creativity—help me connect with and attempt to make a difference in the lives of others. So, these superpowers don’t just help me succeed, they help me give back and try to make a real impact in people’s lives.
Don’t bother yourself with trying to fit in.
Wilde obviously understood the superpower of embracing your uniqueness by encouraging authenticity over imitation. There’s power in authenticity, so own your originality…flaws and all. After all, you were designed to be different and called to be set apart.
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