I'm Nobody! Who are you?

In college I discovered the works of Emily Dickinson. It had the perfect tone and vibe for my state of mind at the time. One of my favorite poems of hers is, “I’m Nobody! Who are you?”. I’ll share it here since I’m certain you’re aflutter to know it in full (you’ll have to ask me about my other favorite poem when we see each other).

Even at 19 I understood the idea that being perceived as a “nobody” allowed more freedom of expression and genuine authenticity than being a “somebody”. That having to remind people that you’re there, and relevant and want - no, need - to be heard is exhausting. Not just anyone can be nobody. It takes some risk, a bit of humility and a lot of intelligence, to be patient with the long game.

I’m okay with being nobody. Are you - nobody - too?