Simon i know what you mean. i was always totally different growing up and ive continued it all my life. when i go home now i get the weirdest looks and comments and peoplel ask me accusatory questions and try to dictate how i should live my life. and this is before i tell them much about myself except the superficial stuff!
it made me totally miserable to feel like an alien looking on at the rest of the world but completely alone and divorced from it but i found that the better i got to know myself the more i realised i needed to get out of the town and the social circle i was in (mostly made up of my school friends, family and family friends).
i went to college when i turned 18 and then did some travelling and it opened up an entirely new world literally. i know that sounds cliche but im really tired and it is true! i met so many people that i could sit with for hours and talk to! not only that but i could make references to things or make jokes and comments and they would know what i was talking about and visa versa! it was such a revelation. ive never looked back and i couldnt even begin to think of living in my home town again. now when i go home and i meet people i used to know its still like im an alien looking on at their world but it looks so small compared to the huge one ive discovered for myself.
i think since you seem to know yourself so well already and have a good grasp of your personality that its only a matter of time before you re ready to leave the situation you re in and find the place you belong with people who will not only respect you but admire you as you deserve to be admired and supported! it will happen simon. hang in there until then and keep coming here where you are appreciated!
biiv