Why You Are Different From Everyone Else, By Zodiac Sign
Your zodiac sign's unique trait.
Unsplash You know what’s totally overrated and boring? Fitting in.
Being different is way cooler.
RELATED: This Is What Makes Your Zodiac Sign Uniquely Special
When it comes to fashion trends and social norms and everything in between, we often get caught up trying to be like everyone else that we forget to be ourselves. While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with liking the same things that everyone else likes, it’s also important to save some room to be yourself, too.
Life is way too short to just be another carbon copy of everyone else. Finding what makes you different and unique is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Your special skill might be being able to make anyone laugh, or you might be great at knowing what people want without them saying it out loud.
Whatever your special skill is, embrace it! No one can be you but yourself, and it’s easy to get lost in trying to fit in and be like everyone else when the real skill is learning how to be comfortable in your own skin. Let me tell you, it’s very exhausting to try to be someone that you think other people will like.
When you spend more time doing than being, what you’re really doing is spending more time looking for validation and acceptance than being that validation and acceptance for ourselves. As human beings, we are always drawn to the people who show us that we are loved and welcomed for who we are.
RELATED: What Makes You SO Special, Per Astrology
We want to know that we’re “fitting in” by being different. In reality, the only validation that matters is the validation we give ourselves because there’s always going to be someone out there who isn’t happy with who you are or someone who wants to try to take away your happiness.
We can’t always predict who the positive people are in our lives and who the negative people are, but when you learn how to love yourself for who you are - something that takes a lot of practice - you end up being a lot happier in the long run. Breaking the pattern of fitting in and embracing what makes you different isn’t always easy, but it is always important.
Who cares if people call you stubborn? What you really are is someone who knows how to stick to their guns. And just because someone calls you picky doesn’t mean that’s true. It’s just their way of trying to bring you down for being analytical and careful with your choices in life.
In short, there will always be people who don’t want to see you succeed, just like there will always be people who don’t want you to be comfortable with who you really are (if you are comfortable, what are they going to try to bring you down about?!). It’s a lot better to just do you, don’t you think?
Here is what makes you different, based on your zodiac sign.
ARIES (March 21 - April 19)
What makes you different from everyone else is your courage, Aries. You were born with a curious, adventurous spirit, but that’s just the beginning. As you’ve grown older, you’ve realized what’s most important to you, and you’re unafraid to stand up for the things you care about.
When other people might not be comfortable trying new things, you are always willing to walk bravely into the unknown. Your courage and willingness to be a leader in any situation not only makes you different but also makes you admired by all who know you.
TAURUS (April 20 - May 20)
A lot of people see your stubbornness as cause for complaint, Taurus, but that’s just because they don’t know the real you. Yes, you’re clearly stubborn as a bull, but it’s for a good reason! What makes you different from the other zodiac signs is that there isn’t one thing that can keep you from sticking up for what you believe in.
Even when everyone else has opposing opinions, and even when you have the unpopular opinion, if something means a lot to you, you never abandon it. You’d rather be known as the zodiac sign who is stubborn and strong-willed than someone who always changes their mind to fit in.
GEMINI (May 21 - June 20)
Gemini, you are different from the other zodiac signs because you are so curious and inquisitive. You’re like a little puppy dog that always finds itself in a mess of trouble because of your curiosity. Some people see you as nosy, but you’re actually just a lifelong learner.
As an air sign, intelligence and learning are two very important things to you. You’re always glued to a new book, podcast, or article, learning something new and expanding your horizons. Let people think what they want - never let your curious nature rest.
CANCER (June 21 - July 22)
The one thing that makes you unique and different, Cancer, is how thoughtful you are. Not only do you care deeply for your flesh and blood (AKA your family), but you also care so much about your friends. Even if someone hasn’t spoken to you in months or years, you always have a kind word to say to them. Your thoughtfulness really shows people that everyone is special to you.
As a sensitive water sign, you are also very attuned to other people, which is a unique skill to have. You are so thoughtful and connected to others because you’re constantly relating to their emotions and listening to them open up to you. It’s not always an easy job to take on other people’s emotions, worries, and dreams, but you would do just about anything for the people you love, wouldn’t you?
LEO (July 23 - August 22)
Your genuine attitude and sincerity are what make you different from the rest of the zodiac signs, Leo. Sure, there are some other honest zodiac signs, but none quite like you. Not only do you care about people enough to tell them the truth, but you also never hide behind fake words or made-up personalities. People know that the Leo they see is the Leo they get.
You stick up for what you believe in, you show people the real you, and you’re never anything less than 100 percent authentic. You should be proud to be different. You’re a good role model for those who have trouble being who they are.
VIRGO (August 23 - September 22)
Being such an intentional, methodical zodiac sign really pays off for you, Virgo. Not only does it make you one of the most caring people, but it also makes you stand out from everyone else.
You’re different because of how attentive and caring you are. You seem to know exactly what someone needs, when they need it, because you always try to make people feel happy and cared for. Plus, serving is in your nature. You show love and respect by doing things for others, which puts you in a league of your own.
LIBRA (September 23 - October 22)
Some people have the audacity to call you picky, flaky, or indecisive, Libra, but that’s only because they haven’t taken the time to get to know you. In reality, you’re just open-minded to the point where you don’t want to make a decision until you know that everyone involved is happy.
You’re willing to go to great lengths to include everyone and make people feel welcome in your plans, even if that means rescheduling said plans over and over. This certainly makes you unique, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t also a touching and important quality to have.
SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21)
As a water sign, Scorpio, you are very sensitive to other people’s emotions. Not only can you sense what other people are feeling, but you can almost predict it before it happens. It’s almost like you’re a mind reader or have a sixth sense for people’s emotions.
This isn’t the only thing that makes you different, though. You are also very intuitive. You know when people are lying or telling the truth, you can detect every little change in someone’s body language, and you’re good at understanding the truth behind social cues when others aren’t.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 21)
People can call you harsh or brutally honest if that makes them feel better, but you’re not going to hide who you are, Sagittarius. What makes you different is your ability to always keep it real, no matter what the situation is.
You prefer to be honest with others because it means you’re no afraid to show people the real you. Plus, it means you respect the people in your life enough to tell them the truth instead of lie to them. Not everyone can embrace your blunt attitude, but that’s just who you are!
CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 19)
You’re not one to depend on others, are you, Capricorn? For you, it almost feels like owing someone a favor every time you ask for help or advice. Plus, you already have the confidence of ten people, so being independent and responsible is just easy for you.
Speaking of being responsible, the other thing that makes you different is how you always take ownership of your life. Good or bad, you always do your part to admit to your mistakes, take accountability for your future, and be responsible for yourself. You don’t need someone else to lean on because that’s not who you are.
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18)
What makes you different, Aquarius, is… well, being different! No one is quite like you, no matter how hard they try. Don’t let that go to your head, just know that people admire your ability to embrace an individualistic lifestyle.
What’s unique about your ability to be different is that you don’t care if you stick out from the crowd. You are brave enough to be yourself when the rest of the crowd is being something else. Your authenticity is a breath of fresh air.
PISCES (February 19 - March 20)
Oh, Pisces. There are just so many wonderful qualities about you that it’s hard to pinpoint just one that makes you different. You’re like a watercolor painting - everything is melded together, but it’s still all different parts of a whole.
Like a fish in the water, you’re all about moving forward because that’s what feels most natural to you.
This adaptability in pretty much every situation is what makes you unique. Where others might resist change and the future, you have an idealistic sense of the world that others find unique. You see a bright future for yourself and everyone else - if only they could see it, too!
Emily Ratay is a full-time writer living in Pittsburgh. She's passionate about the environment and feminism, and knows that anything is possible in the right pair of shoes. She plans on writing a non-fiction book in the future.