You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost)

1. Embrace your weirdness: It's your greatest strength

"My weirdness turned into my greatest strength in life. It's why I'm who I am today and have the career I have."

Unconventional upbringing. Felicia Day's homeschooled childhood, filled with eclectic interests and limited social interaction, shaped her unique perspective. This "weirdness" became her trademark, allowing her to:

• Stand out in the entertainment industry
• Connect with niche audiences
• Create content that resonated with fellow "misfits"

Leverage your quirks. Instead of trying to fit in, Day learned to capitalize on her differences. Her love for gaming, obsessive personality, and unconventional humor became assets in her career, rather than liabilities.

2. Pursue your passions relentlessly, even if others don't understand

"No matter what you feel is holding you back in life, you have the power to take control of it and make it awesome."

Follow your instincts. Despite having a successful academic career, Day chose to pursue acting and writing, following her heart rather than conventional wisdom. This led her to:

• Move to Los Angeles with no connections
• Create her own web series when traditional paths failed
• Build a career around her genuine interests

Persistence pays off. Day faced numerous rejections and setbacks but continued to push forward. Her determination to create content around her passions eventually led to the success of "The Guild" and her production company, Geek & Sundry.

3. Create without fear: Perfectionism is the enemy of progress

"If you strive for something, make sure it's for the right reasons. And if you fail, that will be a better lesson for you than any success you'll ever have."

Overcome self-doubt. Day struggled with perfectionism and fear of failure, often paralyzed by the thought of not meeting expectations. She learned to:

• Push through writer's block and self-criticism
• Share her work even when it felt imperfect
• Use deadlines and external pressure as motivation

Embrace the process. The act of creating, even when the results aren't perfect, is valuable in itself. Day's experiences taught her that growth comes from doing, not just planning or dreaming.

4. Build your own opportunities in the digital age

"No matter how lonely and isolated and starved for connection you are, there's always the possibility in the online world that you can find a place to be accepted, or discover a friendship that's started with the smallest of interests but could last a lifetime."

Harness new technologies. Day recognized the potential of the internet and emerging platforms to bypass traditional gatekeepers. She:

• Created and distributed "The Guild" independently
• Leveraged social media to build a fanbase
• Pioneered new funding models through fan support

DIY mentality. When faced with obstacles, Day often chose to create her own solutions. This approach allowed her to maintain creative control and build a direct relationship with her audience.

5. Community and fan support can fuel your success

"My career has been built fan by fan. I wouldn't trade that relationship, or collection of dolls of myself, for all the money and fame in the world."

Cultivate genuine connections. Day's success was largely driven by her ability to connect with and nurture a dedicated fanbase. She:

• Attended conventions and met fans face-to-face
• Responded personally to fan interactions online
• Created content that spoke directly to her community's interests

Reciprocal relationship. The support of fans not only provided emotional validation but also tangible benefits like crowdfunding for projects and spreading word-of-mouth promotion.

6. Balance ambition with self-care to avoid burnout

"Work-play balance is, in retrospect, something that can EASILY get out of whack. Especially if you're self-employed, you never turn it off."

Recognize warning signs. Day's intense work ethic and desire for success led to severe burnout, anxiety, and health issues. She learned the importance of:

• Setting boundaries and saying "no" to opportunities
• Prioritizing physical and mental health
• Seeking professional help when needed

Redefine success. After her breakdown, Day realized that success shouldn't come at the cost of personal well-being. She restructured her life and work to create a more sustainable balance.

7. Stand up for yourself and your values in the face of adversity

"Biology backs me up. It's proven that our brains give more attention to negative experiences than positive ones."

Confront negativity. Day faced significant online harassment, particularly during the #GamerGate controversy. She learned to:

• Document and address abusive behavior
• Speak out against toxicity in gaming culture
• Support other creators facing similar challenges

Use your platform responsibly. As her influence grew, Day recognized the importance of using her voice to advocate for positive change in the industries and communities she was part of.

Last updated: October 13, 2024