How do you define difference?

Last week, we challenged you to reflect on the things that might make you different to what others might perceive as normal.

But how do we actually define difference? And what, in this world, do we consider different vs what we consider to be normal?

As humans, we all have our interpretations of what should be considered ‘normal’, and we tend to label anything outside of that as being ‘different’.

This mindset often serves as a survival instinct, as it helps us to determine whether a situation is safe, or could potentially be dangerous.

Unfortunately though, research shows that this mindset also makes us more likely to make ill-informed judgments about what to do in a particular situation, especially within a social context.

We are told to steer clear of the unknown to protect ourselves, but often, when we take this approach to our interactions with other humans, we can be more likely to make judgments without any rational consideration.

While this approach is often ingrained into our minds, there are a few simple things we could do to lessen the impact they have on our behaviour towards others.

One is understanding what our own ideas of what we see as ‘different’ compared to what we see as ‘normal’.

Understanding our own perceptions of these two concepts is key to really understanding our own minds, and the ways in which we respond to everyday situations.

For this reason, we want to know how you would personally define ‘difference’.

Reflecting on your own life and the things you encounter on a daily basis, we are challenging you to consider your current understanding of the term, and any themes you notice in how you think about this.

If you feel comfortable with doing so, feel free to share your answer in the comments below.

Please note: there is no obligation to share your answer publicly, as we are aware that this can often be a sensitive topic for many people.