We Are All Sheldon Cooper
Even When We Don't Want to Admit It
NERD PHENOMENA:
Can you guess who is my favorite character in The Big Bang Theory? I know it is not imaginative to root for the main character, but I’ll be more honest than creative on this one.
Yes, I LOVE Sheldon Cooper, I love every inch of his irritating, obnoxious, unsympathetic, obsessive-compulsive behavior. What a news!
But how do you grow to love such an unlikeable character?
Well, the answer is that, deep down, we are all Sheldon Cooper. His quirks, flaws, and idiosyncrasies mirror aspects of our own lives. Despite his often frustrating behavior, Sheldon represents parts of us that we might not readily acknowledge but are undeniably present.
You don’t like it, do you?
Watch the video and have a laugh before I make my point 🔽 (spoiler alert).
The Comfort of Routine
I have always battled routines. I enjoy freedom, flexibility and possibly a different day every day. Most of all, I don’t fancy strict schedules, they stress me out. But the more I grew older, the more I realized there is indeed a good reason behind them. They provide a sense of control in an unpredictable life.
Sheldon thrives on routine. His life is meticulously structured, from his bathroom schedule to his "Relationship Agreement". While we might not be as strict, there is a comfort we all find in routine.
Think about it, don't we all have our little rituals that make our day just a bit smoother? It might be the way you always start your day, or the coffeeshop you always stop at on your route to work, or walking your dog. These routines anchor us, just as they anchor Sheldon. They give us stability, a sense of normality, and predictability in a chaotic world.
The Struggle with Social Norms
I am a bit of a loner. I spend most of my time by myself, and I grew to like it (maybe a little too much). So, although I enjoy being with people, I am not used to it, and I often struggle to be comfortable outside my inner circle. I get shy, sometimes even nervous and I just wish to get comfortable again in my fort of solitude.
Sheldon's difficulties with social norms and understanding subtle social cues often make us laugh, but they also highlight a common truth about human interaction. Social norms can be confusing and stressful. Many of us have experienced the awkwardness of not knowing what to say or do in a social situation. A party or a work event where you don't know anyone, a conversation with someone you are not familiar with or, in my case, pretty much always. We’ve all been there, and Sheldon’s unfiltered honesty and confusion in these situations make us realize that we’re not the only ones.
The Desire for Acceptance
I quickly learnt in life that fitting in has its undeniable benefits. But we can’t be a perfect fit for everything or everybody, right? So, we often put on an act to avoid justifying our differences and keep things efficient (at least I do). It is a lot of work, and it does not lead to anything real or satisfying.
Beneath his tough exterior, Sheldon, like all of us, longs for acceptance and understanding. He wants his friends to appreciate him for who he is, quirks and all. This is a universal human experience, we all seek validation from those around us. Family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers, the desire to be accepted for who we are is strong. Sheldon's journey to find this, often stumbling along the way, resonates deeply as it reflects our own struggles to really fit in and be understood.
Embracing Our Inner Nerd
One of the most charming qualities of Sheldon Cooper is his shameless embrace of his interests. He loves cosplay, comic books, science fiction, and complex theoretical physics. He doesn’t try to hide or downplay these passions, even when they seem out of context. We live in a society that often pressures us to conform but Sheldon’s passion inspires us to embrace our inner nerd (or not so inner in my case).
We all have our secret obsessions and guilty pleasures! Is it knitting, a particular sport, crime stories, history, a musical instrument, polish vintage movies? It doesn’t matter, these passions make us unique and bring joy and color to our lives, much like they do for Sheldon.
The Beauty of Imperfection
Sheldon is far from perfect (and who is??). His rigid thinking and lack of empathy can be challenging, both for him and those around him. Yet, it’s these imperfections that make him human and relatable. We all have our flaws, traits that we might not be proud of but are part of who we are. Acknowledging and accepting these imperfections, in ourselves and others, is a pretty useful attitude. Sheldon’s character journey, where he slowly learns to compromise and adapt, shows us that aiming for improvement does not necessarily means losing sight of who we truly are. He learns to navigate his social difficulties, becomes more empathetic, and even experiences romantic relationships. His story is a confirmation that we are all capable of change, even when the path is uncomfortable.
There is a lot to relate to here, isn’t there? Although, I don’t know you, but I am certainly not a genius :-).
Ultimately, Sheldon Cooper invites us to celebrate individuality. He reflects our own struggles, quirks, and desires. He embodies the comfort of routine, the challenge of social norms, the longing for acceptance, and the beauty of diversity.
When we look at Sheldon, we embrace our own complexities and challenges. Because, deep down, we are all Sheldon Cooper, attempting to navigate the world with our unique blend of strengths and weaknesses.
If we love him, we can love ourselves, and that's something truly worth acknowledging.