Do you feel like you don’t belong here, in this world and society? You will be surprised to know that it may actually be a good thing.

We grow up believing that in order to be happy, we need to belong somewhere – a society, a country, a social circle, and finally, a family.

The desire to be a part of something bigger than ourselves seems to be our innate need, which probably has evolutionary roots (remember the well-known notion that human is a social animal?). As Wikipedia states, “belongingness is the human emotional need to be an accepted member of a group.”

But what happens in the case of people who don’t only lack this need but also feel that they don’t really fit in this world? Some individuals don’t simply consider themselves different from the rest – they actually have different tastes, ways of thinking, and priorities in life. They don’t like popular things and activities and don’t go after the goals most people pursue.

They may seem a sort of weirdos to those around them, but the truth is that there is a bright side of being a “misfit.”

Today, we will discuss four categories of people who are very likely to have a sense of detachment from the world because of their emotional and mental makeup. Moreover, it’s not a bad thing at all and is, in fact, an indication of increased awareness and sensitivity.

1. Deep thinkers

Sadly, the society we live in is giving more and more importance to primitive instincts and material needs. So it makes sense why individuals capable of deep thought may feel like they don’t belong here.

If you are a deep thinker, then you probably know what truly matters in life. That’s why seeing people around you chasing ephemeral goals and being interested in meaningless stuff is so disappointing. It’s not only disappointing – sometimes, it makes you wonder what you are doing here, among these people, and feel like you come from another world.

2. Old souls

Old souls often feel like they don’t belong here, especially when growing up. Being passionate about unpopular things may make others pick up on your differences and tease you for it. And this can be painful in your awkward childhood and teenage years, making you feel like a misfit who doesn’t have a place in this world.

In your adult years, this gap separating you from other people only becomes bigger. However, you find your path in life and don’t care the same about what they think about you.

3. Empaths

Empaths are so sensitive to the emotions and energy of other people that they may find it uncomfortable to be around them. If you are an empath, you know that every time you watch a news broadcast or learn something sad about someone you know, you get truly upset.

All these side effects of being an empath can also provoke a sense of detachment. And it’s no surprise – there is so much greed, cruelty, and violence in today’s world that an empath may suffer, being a part of it.

4. People who experience a spiritual awakening

A spiritual awakening is a great experience that elevates you to a higher level of consciousness and turns you into a spiritually evolved being. However, it is also paired with painful feelings and experiences because fundamental changes are never easy.

Not only do you start to wonder about the existence, reconsidering your life decisions and relationships, but you may also feel detached from those around you and the world in general. It’s all because you are becoming more aware and understand things you previously turned a blind eye to.

If you feel like you don’t belong here, remember that there is nothing wrong with you.

Instead of worrying about what others think and seeking their approval, try to find your passion and life purpose. And it’s fine if it doesn’t seem attractive or “cool” to most people. The point is that it should fill your life with meaning and happiness.

Did any of the above-described things ring true for you? We would love to hear your thoughts on this.

If you are feeling like a misfit, you may want to read my recent articles that provide some guidance for coping with this emotional state:

When the flood of comments came in response to this article, I realized that there were far more people who felt like they didn’t belong here, in this world and society, than I had imagined.

Inspired by this fact, I wrote the book The Power of Misfits: How to Find Your Place in a World You Don’t Fit In to help all those introverts, empaths, and deep thinkers who feel alien to modern society. If you are feeling this way and are looking for answers, you may want to check my book on Amazon.


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This Post Has 213 Comments

  1. Michelley

    I relate to every point except I dislike most people (although no one would know & many people are drawn to me?) I relate with animals on a very deep level. I feel like I am not “home” on this earth. I struggle with the things that go on in this world, the hatred, cruelty, materialism, selfishness & aggression humans show to eachother & helpless animals. I am an extreme empath (which I find puzzling since I’m not a fan of people) and have always been told I am “too sensitive” like it’s a bad thing. It is, I guess, in this harsh world. I’m comfortable in my own company and with close family. I have no need for friends. I dream vividly most nights, have had out of body experiences during dreams & feel comfortable knowing there is more to this existence on earth. I wish I knew what this all meant & what my purpose is in life…

  2. Remya

    I’m all the four mentioned here. I feel exactly the same way as you do. Feel like so caught up in this petty dramatic world. I too dream about living in a hut or treehouse in a forest, far away from all these materialistic bullshit. Actually I crave it. But sadly, like I already said, I’m just caught up in a world that was once simple and beautiful, but made complicated by humans. Sometimes I think of this beautiful earth and universe and just wonder how humans can’t appreciate that. How did this world become so complicated and selfish and materialistic? Everything we need to live peacefully was already provided and it’s so sad that it wasn’t enough. Nothing is ever enough. No one is content. There’s no peace in this planet. I’m sure the Creator of this beautiful thing called life and this Universe will be in tears seeing the plight of his creations. I’m so tired of this rat race. But something inside me, I don’t know what it is, a feeble ray of hope is what holds me here, keeping me from giving up. There’s this movie, Anesthesia, and the character Sophie played by Kristen Stewart speaks some heart-touching dialogues that I totally relate to. She says that “this world is not for her and that it has become so insensitive. And she says how this is all a game and she feels like everyone else around her knows the rules, whereas she doesn’t.” To say the truth, I was so moved by these words because I found myself in Sophie. And every time I watch it, I tear up. Afterall, I’m glad that even though life’s like this, someone else out in this world occasionally delivers words and quotes and movies like these that make me realize that I’m not the only one who feel like this; that I’m not alone.

  3. Woongki

    I dont know why, i’m happy with everything around me , best friends, best family, nice job , also, i am always positive (i’m not try to do that) , but i still feel like i dont belong to this world , dont know why, just feel it .

  4. Lynn

    My life is filled with feeling like the alien who does not belong. I found a tribe of seemingly like minded people and I discovered I was not welcome. They dumped me during & after a mental health crisis. Spiritual communities run for the hills at the thought of being around anyone “toxic.” i feel kinda set up to not belong because I always feel everybody’s everything—the good, the bad, and the toxic. Gets old. Thank God I feel best when I’m alone. Maybe I belong at a table for one.

  5. Wright

    Thank you everyone, for such insightful and thought-out responses. Thank you Anna, for writing this piece.

    I very much need this at this point in my life.

  6. Robin Flores

    I feel so much for everyone around me as well as for people I have never met I am filled with compassion love and forgiveness I stay very sad most of the time and feel constantly rejected even when I’ve put my all im rejected show kindness to everyone even those who are not kind in return I know I see life very differently then others also

    1. Stacey

      I am exactly the same. . Its like waking up 20 yrs in the future, everything seems familiar yet alien all at the same time!

  7. Makot

    1,2 and 3 . This pretty much sums things up very nicely. Though I have reached the level of detachment. Working with the public all day does not help at all. It makes things more difficult. Particularly in situations where you should fit but still don’t…

  8. Renee Charbonneau

    I feel very emotional with everyone and everything but I keep to myself because I can not connect with anyone…I really feel like I dont belong in this world…I dislike how we live and treat each other like everything is a game and who is better at it. Ive felt very distant from family and friends because everyone seems fake and I can’t hide it.
    I love to motivate others but for some reason I can not motivate myself.
    I feel like I am sleep walking through my life..
    Everything I do is never satisfying enough like nothing is fun..I am a very positive person on the outside but on the inside I want to scream!

    1. Angela Kortright-Calo

      Wow yes! this is exactly how I feel. I feel as if I’ve been dropped into some alternate reality where everything is similar to what I know but waaay too different. I just want to go back home, or in time, or wherever things made sense.

  9. Amanda Johnson

    I completely relate to 1 and 2. I think too much. I care too much. I worry too much. I run a social group and I’m a very good organiser even if I do say so myself. But I’m not making many friends and those I have made there’s still that feeling of detachment, not quite the kind of friends I’m looking for. I care about things others don’t; Animal Rights, our Environment and more and I try to do something about it. I refuse to turn my back upon some of the horrors out there because it’s too painful to see. What about the Animals and people suffering? How do they think they feel? Recently with the royal wedding I was appalled at the cost of the whole thing where there are people homeless, relying upon food banks! This is the 21st century and we have food banks! Our NHS is in trouble, we need more hospitals, yet the royal family never go without. There are people dripping in money; I hear some give to charity but it’s not enough. We are bombarded with photos of starving children in Africa; that dosn’t seem to have ever improved and the wars continue. The divide between rich and poor is ever growing, but do the people around me care? I find it very frustrating, disheartening and I feel I don’t belong. Our world is obscene.

  10. Fatemeh

    Im 17 and from when i became a teenager i couldn’t understand my friends and keep up with them.i loved them deeply but i couldn’t care about all of the high school dramas.and now im losing my friends one by one and i can’t find my path for life and i think i might have depression. thanks for this article it helped a little but still i don’t know what to do with myself.

  11. Yellowcanary

    When I was a child, like 7 or 8, I kept saying to myself ‘ everthing is a dream, you are gonna sleep and wake up then everthing will change’. I never feel belong here. I mean, the country which I live, the family which I have also friends, my boyfriend. There is something wrong because I always feel this. Now I am 23 and this feeling still with me. I decided to travel different countries maybe I can find my place in the world 🙁

  12. Angela

    Can relate too well to many here.
    I feel so out of place these past few years. I feel such a disconnect to soo many people. I used to love being around people. Now I can’t stand it. People don’t act right anymore. More have become too immature, hostile, and confrontational. Courtesy is all but extinct today.

    It’s exhausting feeling out of place
    I keep thinking: I just wanna go home.

  13. Jennifer L Rylands

    Wow I’ve never knew bout this I mean I feel like I was born in the wrong time frame…..I’ve been feeling like i should have been living n ancient times …. Everybody hates me and plots against to my my life hell even my own mother

  14. Dave Olan

    Wow! It’s a relief to know that people whose minds have not gone haywire still exist

  15. Stuart

    I have just read this and you could have been writing about me. I also see there are many others who relate to this too. After 40 odd years of trying to fit in and failing miserably , I have known for at least the last 20 of my years that I’m flogging a dead horse.

    I have never been able to gel with 99% of people I have worked with or met socially, mostly due to having completely different outlooks on life .

    In a way I wish I thought and behaved like the majority, because I have never known, I don’t think, what it means to be truly happy and contented. It is hard to feel at peace in this world when you realise that very few people are living the life that was originally intended for them.

    I am currently in between jobs at the moment and wondered if anyone could name suitable employment for an individual described in the above piece. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

    To Anna who wrote this , thanks for this post, it was good to read something that made sense for a change.

  16. farhi

    I feel as though I’m not from here, I feel completely detached from everything and everyone. I feel numb and disorientated. I cannot fathom why I’ve been put in this world. I just want to go back home. *big sad sigh

  17. Nick Bishop

    I can identify with all these people.

  18. Gary Lee Dezern

    I feel as if I belong to all of these. Ive even gone as far as feeling that our reality is false, a picture spoon feed to us XD

  19. Ben

    I often feel like an alien on this planet. At 36 have never really fitted in and getting to the point now where i am burnt out trying.

    1. Monica

      Sorry you feel that you are “burnt out,” don’t be… you are special and have found the fundamental part of being you… you know who you are, most people don’t get that, so that makes people like us…special. I don’t feel like I belong and think too much…lol, I really like this article and found all of the items listed belong to me… I don’t feel “burnt” out, I feel special… sounds sort of funny but what I am trying to say is, I have decided to look within and have found peace. I look in the mirror and say I love me quite often and have found peace within… and I love that place, no one can take it, I won’t allow it. I hope you find it too and you can, I don’t know what will work for you but I meditate…which I absolutely love. I have found this free app called Calm, and I loved it so much I purchased it for about $5.00/month…It’s truly amazing and it hits on the button every time I need a lift. Takeaway, I am happy with me and that is all that matters and I am good to people, I don’t use the word “hate” and I don’t wish ill will on anyone, Karma will usually take care of those who deserve it. As a complete stranger to you, I only with you the best and know, you are truly unique and special… like we all are, you just have to now accept it… :))))))) BE HAPPY AND FIND PEACE!!! Namaste!

  20. Hrvoje

    This article is mindblowing and perfectly true! I also do not belong to this world, i see how people are living one dimensional lifes…

  21. Fydron

    I have always felt this way other people just seem like drones to me doing same boring routines all day every day i just cannot relate to anyone except the one friend i have who also thinks this way.

  22. T W

    I’ve lived this way since I was a child. My family didn’t like or want me. I grew up thinking they were like animals. They were mean spirited, abusive brutes. My relationships have always been superficial and I have no close friends. I always thought they were shallow and incapable of any deep thinking or feeling. I have to pretend to care. Romance has been even worse. I attract abusive sociopaths so I don’t date any more. To this day I feel isolated, an outcast. Even in a room full of people I feel awkward and alone. I’ve pretty much given up on any long term relationships. The issue that bothers me the most is being unable to fit in at work. Most people don’t like anyone who’s different so, sooner or later, I end up being a target for some workplace bully or thrown under the bus for something someone else did or didn’t do. It doesn’t matter how hard I work or how helpful or nice I am to coworkers. Really hard to make a living when I’m spending more time looking for work than actually working. Of course it’s extremely difficult to explain why I have so much education but so many short term positions. My resume is a disaster so I end up working pointless, low paying jobs with no future.

    1. The END

      TW, I can’t believe that what you described sounds exactly like me!! I know exactly what you mean. It would be nice to meet most of the people searching on this site. If us “misfits” could all get together, we’d have a tribe of supportive and loving friends.

  23. TheThinker

    This made me cry, in a good way i think, and i never cry but i feel so strongly about this, all this time i have felt so strange and alone in this world full of “machines/people” that just go with the flow like everything is about fitting in and having the latest thing or being all that even tho they hate what they do or just dislike why they do it, but they do it so they mean something in the world. Everything is about “me.. me.. me” these days and i don’t want anything to do with it. I have never meet a person i could really talk to when i talked to them, that properly doesn’t make any sense, its like i’m disconnected to some bond others share or connect to and i feel lost, but free at the same time. Every job seems pointless, it does not help anything it just make things go, but does not make a difference in the world, we still don’t help the poor, the helpless, the lost and who ever needs help for any reason. i feel like we should be as one and stop producing and start being together and live. Of course not all jobs are like this but i feel like the vast majority is and if every one just made what we needed instead of all that could be needed, we all would feel like we had a purpose, or not feel.. we would really have a real purpose to be here, to enjoy our living by living one day at the time with no time used on worries of what tomorrow brings or if we would get that high payed crap job to secure our family’s future, if we could pay the bill or if we would ever find those things that could like really make you happy in life? because we simply wouldn’t need to. I feel like the internet was the biggest mistake of human history, We are loosing our Humanity to tech, or maybe we lost it allrdy?

  24. Jean Kirkwood

    I’m one of those people, like I feel like I’m not wanted to be around them, I get hurt, not them talking to me like I was a Aliens from far away like a Lyran, Palidian or something… I look at the sun all time and watch the star at night like I belong there..the question is am I a special person that people don’t see…!

  25. Anon

    The harsh reality is realising that all of those around you, have no idea of their insignificance, of the insignificance of those things they think important. That the rules they consciously and subconsciously live by are fabricated, and that you are trapped by their beliefs, their ideas, their simple thoughts. Knowing you are on a different level, but not knowing what that difference really is. THAT is feeling like you don’t belong, even this basic article above, is all still part of the basic underlining of human averageness. It doesn’t matter if you are different, it doesn’t matter if you are better, you will never understand what you are here for, because there is no reason. None of us asked to be here, none of us know what we are doing.

  26. The END

    Aussie T, I couldn’t have said it better…and to everyone else’s posts, I concur! And to Ms. Anna LeMind, your article touched me on many different levels! I actually never comment…but I can’t believe how close to home it feels here, so I just had to.

    May the Universe and Beyond conspire for all of us and lead us in the right direction(s). May we be blessed with wisdom and understanding. May we all find our place on this planet, not to fit in but to fulfill our life’s work. May we be granted happiness, love, and prosperity!! Much love to all you GOOD, but disconnected and lonely souls!!!

  27. Beto

    I feel exactly the same ways as described above and more, I guess… I feel as if I were not from this place or from this time… I sometimes seem to have déjà vu and I feel a mix of exhilaration and sadness all together… I even feel my throat choking and feel like crying… I know I cannot quit, I won’t give up my life or do anything against myself but how I wish I could find a way to get away from it all and go to where I belong… I am stuck here down south and I am sure I belong to opposite side of the planet… And I feel this since I was a kid and now I am pushing sixty… Fifty-seven years of relentless effort to feel fit in this place… so far I’ve got to say I don’t get it, I don’t belong in here in this place!
    Guess I need help, I need to find people who feel the same way and share what I feel… But I guess I’d be a pain in the neck to this poor creature, haha!

  28. Left for Dead

    I am the unwanted, the obsolescence. the doddering bound to wake up and shimmy though an empty husk of existence that never blossoms. The tapestry of the Earth is woven around me, providing negative space for which I have spent many nights staring at its lights and colors and fabrics mingling together in stitched timing. To feel like the world left me so long ago is to feel like I should leave myself. Nothing has value that does not appreciate what I given, freely, into this theater. A dry cough in the audience. Static on an otherwise unoccupied radio wave. There is nothing for me here; I do not belong here. I never did.

  29. Lily

    The very end you have it wrong. People who feel like they don’t belong here don’t feel the need to fit in or be cool or worry about seeking anyone’s approval. We’re worried what life is going to bring us. Why are we here? What is the meaning of all of this?

    1. The END

      Hi Lily, was your response to my comment? If so, I don’t think you understood what I meant to say. I don’t fit in and neither am I trying to fit in anywhere, or trying to be cool, or worried about others’ approval. But we all are human and do need a supportive atmosphere filled with like-minded people. Otherwise, we would not be on this site, reading these comments, and trying to connect with other people who feel the same way.

  30. Rochelle

    I don’t belong here, in this century/modern life. Can’t live, can’t die…feeling trapped in this miserable fast paced life !

  31. Raqhel

    I so feel like this i don’t have many friends but i feel so different from the ones I do have they all seem like there in a race to have more and the latest of material and to cherish the moments that we have wtith others feels more meaningful than materialistic I wish I could find one person that would sit and cherish the little things we have in life like moments

  32. Yvette

    I resonate with every point you make above. I only feel like a weirdo when I ‘see’ or ‘hear’ or ‘sense’ things that others don’t. I feel privileged to have these abilities but I keep them quiet. I cannot be who I really am because so many people are afraid of all things different. I find that in life I help people get ahead because that is what they want. However as soon as they get there I’m no longer part of their life. I become invisible to them. I enjoy meditations either guided meditations or pure because I can just be me. It takes me to a different place where I’m not judged but I can just be. The noise of life stops and all that is left is me. The only noise I can’t seem to block out is that if the WiFi box! I can turn ours off but can still hear the piercing noise of the 8 other WiFi systems surrounding us. I just need to bide my time until I have learnt this life’s lessons before I can go home.

  33. Jim Hurd

    but when you KNOW you dont belong is that differernt than a feeling? i send any b day and Christmas cards back to sender i KNOW im unworths of such stuff

  34. G.F

    I feel different in a way that i gave up on us, on humans on my species. We are a virus on this Planet.

  35. Helmut

    I am so ashamed of the species called Homo sapien. Each day that passes reenforces the belief of how infantile we are. I have never felt like I belonged here, but the feeling is growing with each day that passes. We are an absurd, little species so full of hubris. Does anyone else feel trapped here? Except for my beloved Dogs and all the non- human animals, I have no true friends. With each day that passes I grow less interested in being a part of this society mankind has forged. I have no idea WHY THE HELL i chose to come back here. Yes, I obviously need to finish up my soul’s lessons….but isnt there another way to do this? I dont belong and Im highly aware of this. How does any one else out there who feels this way, cope with living among these dense, moronic, heavy energy species?

    1. LadyBelle

      Hi Helmut

      I instantly replied cause that’s exactly how I feel from time to time. In those moments I ask myself similar questions… Why do I have to be here as a statue observer when there’s nothing I can do about it? Why would I choose to come here and hurt this way as well? If everything’s possible in spirit realm then some other way would be possible too? Where’s the sense in having high moral values, being empathic, wanting to create better society when I have no means to do it? Why do I have to witness life existence in low frequency level when I only want to contribute and create something beautiful?
      In other times I accept there’s a reason for my existence here, that my spirit family only wants good for me and that in some way I do contribute…but I’ll understand that better someday or when I’m no longer here but in spirit world. Love is the most beautiful and sincerest feeling one could possibly discover & feel on this planet. There is beauty on Earth. There could be paradise. We can discover all of these through people, animals, my beloved nature, art… The problem is in the end in loneliness, when you have no one to share your soul with in this short existence on Earth.

    2. LadyBelle

      Hey Micka07

      I understand. I don’t like things you’ve mentioned either and cannot find my place in a company of people who are not true. I see people for who they are. All I can say, a lots of them are wearing facades. That’s the reason I crave for people with sincere souls, which is so hard to find. You know, someone who is wearing their soul on their sleeve. It’s not about the people you don’t belong to, it’s actually feeling alone because of the ones you’d like to find – people like you. It’s frustrating to see so many things on this planet turned upside down and you can’t do anything about it.
      Maybe it’s not a comfort, but each human being has their own life path to walk (no matter how we see them). The same is with you and me. So, while you’re here 🙂 leave the trail of the best version of yourself you can.

  36. J

    This hit home for me, and thank you. I thought I was becoming depressed, however do not feel depressed. I am questioning everything in my life for example: Why am I not like other mothers? Why do certain things resonate with me and nobody else? I am truly at the beginning of a crazy journey and this read really helped. Thank you for the knowledge. Much Love.

  37. P. Garabatto

    Is it possible being the 4 things you described? Being an old soul, an empath and have been awaken? Also, i have the theory some people has more alien DNA than others, therefore those who have more, also have more troubles abput ‘fiting in’ and sruff. Literally, genes call them home. Am i talking nonsense?

  38. Jean-Paul Blommaert

    When You Were Born In a World You Don’t Fit In, It’s Because You Were Born To Create a New One.

  39. Letty

    I needed this article. Thank you. During my search seems a lot of suicide & depression articles were only coming up. I may be depressed, because I too do not feel I belong in this world & I carry the 4 characteristic traits above. I am not chasing any earthly dreams. I am constantly saddened by the ugliness this world expresses daily. I don’t fit in because I have do not desire what others around me seek. I don’t care about getting rich, having the nicest most expensive things or working myself to death to get them. I am married, yet I feel so alone. We have 7 children and as much as I love them dearly, I feel I am only here to raise them up for them to leave me & then to forget I exist. I am sickened by the matters of this world and everything going on in it. Seems everyone is out for self. There seems to always be an ulterior motive in the interactions of friends, family & colleagues. Genuine conversations seem to be scarce. Humans are destroying the earth God blessed them with. We are like a cancer to this planet slowly deteriorating it day by day. I’ve actually lost almost all my hope in humanity. I’ve asked God to show me what am I here for or remove me from this place. Either I am missing His purpose for me or I have yet to see it. I don’t want to hurt myself, but I don’t want to be here any longer. I’ve prayed that He protect my family in my absence if He so chooses to bring me Home. Thank you again for this article and the comments above.

  40. Naomi

    I always feel i do not belong where i am, people are always different to me, i always believe theres something more somewhere ,but i dont know and am so limited in my environ. The things i like and want are not here just pains and seeing people suffering ,sometimes i feel like being in another planet along .i feel so lonely even when around people .

  41. Kristine

    I fall deeply into categories 1,3, and 4. Most of the time I’m grateful that I don’t fit in and that I have a higher level of emotional thinking, but sometimes it really bothers me that I’m so detached from people around me. I know they don’t think like me, I know they don’t feel like me, and that’s where not feeling like I fit anywhere and that I’m so different eats away at me because I feel very alone. I didn’t always feel or think like this…within the last 10 years is when my my emotional intelligence took a jump into a much higher level of feeling/thinking (so in my early 30s). Even my parents, grandparents have used the word “weird” or “not normal” to describe me because I haven’t followed societal norms. It hurts when you’re own family thinks of you as a weirdo. I don’t have anyone to talk to when I begin to feel like I don’t belong. I just end up doing google searches to try and read up and understand myself better. I also rely on my faith and talking to God to get me through these rough patches. And my dogs, even though they can drive me nuts, are truly my saving grace as they don’t judge me, they just love me unconditionally…weirdo and all. I always wonder why some of us are wired with an extreme level of emotional intelligence because I do think this world, the suffering, the hate, the greed, etc does take a huge toll on us…just have to keep pressing forward and not letting those who don’t understand us break us…I pray we all stay strong! God Bless!

  42. Sophie

    Yes! It’s really odd that I found this. I’ve always felt like this my whole life, and I’m 14 so that’s not too long. I’ve always been told I’m an old soul and deep thinker, I’ve just always felt detached from this world. I just don’t feel like I’m supposed to be here at this time. Sometimes I think about ending my life, but I’m terrified of dying and I know it’s not the right choice. I just can’t get rid of what I’m feeling:/

  43. Christy

    I’ve always been irritated by the statement that “people are social animals” as it groups us all into one giant stereotype. What about individualists, or people who simply don’t reap some type of reward from socializing?

    Personally, I have never felt an inherent need to socialize, but was somewhat forced into it since a young age. Luckily, I did find some like-minded soul mates throughout this time – people who loved sharing ideas and world views, rather than benign chit-chat or gossip. But, for the most part, socializing feels like it does nothing but hinder my productivity and throw me off the path I’m trying to carve for myself.

    Many people say they don’t feel complete unless they are part of some group – but that makes me feel like those who think in such a way are somehow defective. I want to ask them why they aren’t focusing on improving themselves, and their own lives, to the point where they need no validation from others. As for me, I’ve never craved validation, compliments, gifts, attention, or involvement- and when I’ve received these, it makes no major difference in my life or way of thinking. So, I do have trouble existing in a world where people seem to thrive of these things that feel meaningless to me.

    And also… why are people so triggered and nosy about what other people are doing or saying?! Take pictures of your kids wearing sombreros, let your 10 year old wear red lipstick, J-walk across the street, cheat on your spouse. I don’t care! Your situation does not involve me. However, it seems the masses do not think like this. Instead, they thrive on drama and pointless involvement, rather than concentrating on their own lives.

    At any rate, this was a great article and I love the website. It’s nice to read comments from other people that I can actually relate to for a change, while existing on a planet where I often feel like an alien.

    1. Brian Mooso

      And also… why are people so triggered and nosy about what other people are doing or saying?! Take pictures of your kids wearing sombreros, let your 10 year old wear red lipstick, J-walk across the street, cheat on your spouse. I don’t care! Your situation does not involve me. However, it seems the masses do not think like this. Instead, they thrive on drama and pointless involvement, rather than concentrating on their own lives.

      It’s so nice to know I’m not the only one who thinks almost exactly like this. No, REALLY. I am so sick and tired of other people drama, and the fact they are hell bent on ramming their drama and their pointed noses straight up into others’… *ahem* business.

  44. minedatbird

    I recently came across this web page and I felt compelled to write something about my experience. The traits and situations listed came to me in stages over the last several years. I previously a normal thick skinned pretty shallow person that got along with pretty much everyone. Then I took a job that put me under a great deal of stress mentally and physically. It was too much so I found a different job where I encountered a much different but greater stressor from deep thinking and felt like I had reached my threshold for pain and just gave up trying to do anything. Fell into a deep depression trying to find meaningful work wandering different states over a few years. I gradually started to come out of this ‘spiritual awakening’, if that is what you call it and I now had to deal with very strong feelings a strong intuition and feeling that I could sense other peoples moods or feelings. This has been an extremely difficult thing to deal with at work and outside of work. I keep looking back on the days where I was very sociable and think how I don’t want to be that person yet I long for the social interaction that doesn’t include the intense feelings. I have found that just getting the feelings out by talking or writing or intense exercise works wonders. Still doesn’t seem to really go away long term. I have a much greater appreciation for sensitive people whom are constantly condemed in our mainstream society. I believe that those of us whom have acquired or were born with these ‘gifts’ need to learn how to use them best in this world. For self defense against the harsh shallow folks and to realize a greater spiritual purpose in this life.

    Anyways that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

  45. Sofia Silvestrini

    Funny! Maybe I won’t have to come back next time. Really do not belong here…tired…sick and tired! It is all a joke and I just don’t get it.

    1. Sheila Vince

      I get very frequent episodes of feeling like I don’t belong here and I need to get home, but I don’t know where home is. When I feel this way I get this awful empty anxious feeling inside that hurts and I feel a need to be with all my family, but when I go to them I still have this empty feeling inside, I just want to cry. All I do is upset them because they don’t know what to do for me. I have been like this for years and I feel it will never end. Then for some reason, the mood will lift and I feel okay and can cope with life. However, it doesn’t last and I am back to feeling wretched and just want my life to be over. I have been having various therapies for a long time and they all ask if I would harm myself, in other words, commit suicide. I would not do this because I have dogs who rely on me and every night I feed the foxes who wait for me in the garden. I can’t bear the thought of not being here to tend to their need, so I am stuck, I hate this cruel evil world.

  46. Michael

    I am 75 and can see this world degenerating into madness. It gets worse by the day, the normalisation of immorality to please those minorities who revel in it. To please some elitists in high places who have always secretly wished to legalise their behaviour. Some of it so absolutely shocking that people pretend not to have seen or heard it and even accept it as the inevitable future. Can they not see that the world we knew is no longer on the rails. I agree with Sophia that I don’t belong here and knowing that we have to keep reincarnating, I hope we have a choice of an alternative reality on a parallel world.

  47. CrystalRose

    I have always felt like I don’t belong. When I was younger I tried to fit in. Myself always reminded me I was different. So I’ve accepted it.
    I am 29 years old. I have three boys, five, seven and eight. I look normal. I’m attractive (not saying it in an arrogant way just saying it to say I get lots of attention from other people in the world when I’m not seeking it) I work a minimum wage job. I have a working boyfriend who loves me and my boys. I live a normal life dealing with real life struggles that are totally normal and I manage to celebrate the joys of life and make normal memories with my family.

    Everything on the outside seems to be normal. But its another story on the inside. From my brain to my body. To start. I knew I was different when I realized my periods were very irregular. Like, normal. But irregular. One month it will come on the 4th the 4 months from then it will come on the 20th. Some months will be heavy some will be light. Some months it will last 3 days some 7 even 9 sometimes. Sometimes my body will tell me when my cycle starts sometimes it just sneaks up. I’m just now realizing that it changes with the year. I plan to keep track but that’s another story…..

    Anyways then I started realizing my intuition is stronger than most people around me. My emotions are stronger than others (but where I’m from its called being weak or soft to show empathy).

    I’m always deep into thought. Always looking for the good in people even when they show me bad. Always looking for peace. Seeking happiness. Allowing God to lead the way.

    I get distracted with life while seeking my purpose in it. But I’m strong enough to pull myself back together. I have done some pretty crazy things and put myself in some dumb situations but I have always pulled myself back out learned from the mistake and kept pushing.

    That’s what I’m still doing. Learning and pushing. But sometimes I wonder if I will ever learn my meaning of life my purpose. I want to be able to breathe. I feel so choked up with reality that I often wonder if there is a bigger force of negative energy being thrown at me. If so I don’t know why. I am a good person with a good heart.

  48. jhon

    im turning 26 this may, sometimes i’m think i don’t belong in this world or i hate this world
    i not always travel but when i travel and see new place i like the world, when i alone i think deeper, and hate my life and this world, and when i see someone reach his goal im jealous something like im wake i can’t do what he has done

  49. K.m

    We search for more. We know when our potential is unmet. We wait for something. We are individuals in a hyper-connected world.

    I suspect that those drawn to the comments will understand this somewhat more than others

    I know I don’t belong here, but I also know my life is not purely a selfish endeavour and while I may not be content, my life has meaning for others. Something for me may come later, I hope. Even then I might not feel as though I belong, but I may be content.

  50. Brian Mooso

    I’m… weird. Take that statement and refer back to it as many times as you need to.

    I am entirely convinced I a) do NOT belong here. Not even my wife thinks I belong here. I can pinpoint as to when things went sideways, it was after Challenger blew up. I don’t have details as to when I slid to here from there, but I know for *sure* that it blew up in 1984. Don’t go into a wail about the ‘mandala effect’. I’ve read up on it. I did not know it was 1986 until someone brought it up recently. B) is even more insane. I swear on my mother’s eyes- all 18 of ’em(XD), that I’m either not human, or I am human, but I ain’t from around these parts.

    I have also have done nothing but suffer here. I have an almost incredibly BAD track record for decisions- as more than once, the whole universe bent over backwards to screw up a choice I had made. If I hadn’t seen it for myself, anyone telling me about this would get a little side eye.

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