Author bio: Maria-Katarina Johannesson, a plant nerd and digital PR ninja at Linksandmaria.com, tries to embrace her quirks to inspire others. When she’s not nurturing her plant collection, she’s weaving tales of authenticity in the digital world or researching cute dogs.
Do you talk too much? Ever feel like you don’t quite fit in? Always chasing new adventures on solo travels? I know that feeling all too well.
Maybe you’re just like me – a plant nerd who can’t stop thinking about the next plant to buy.
But here’s the thing – your “weird” traits might actually be your greatest strength. They can set you apart, make you more memorable, and even guide you to success.
Just like solo travel, embracing your quirks can be unpredictable and scary, but it can also be the key to self-discovery and new confidence.
In this article, I’ll share four steps that helped me lean into my true self – quirks and all – on my entrepreneurial journey.
Both plant-related ones and non-plant ones.
Let’s start wandering!
The Passionate Plant Nerd
The title of this article is “put that plant away”.
At first, I thought I had to put my quirks away – literally, even my plants. But then I realized that what makes us different is often what makes us unique (without sounding too cheesy)
I love plants, and I also love the whole process of planting a seed, nurturing it, and seeing it evolve into a little plant – it makes me genuinely happy (I’m Maria-Katarina Johannesson, by the way, working with SEO and digital PR over at Linksandmaria.com).
When I started meeting with my current mentor, I used to jump on every call and be like.
“Hi!! Look at my new little plant!” and I realized I should probably put that plant away, because why would he or anyone else in the group be interested in that?
But he told me, “Maria-Katarina, don’t put that plant away. Lean into it – this is what makes you unique, it’s you.
Honestly, I had never thought about it this way. Ever since he said that, I have allowed myself to talk about plants in my articles, in my Tiktok videos, website – you name it.
Even when I travel, I find myself searching for the best plant shops, wandering through local botanical gardens, and connecting with fellow plant lovers across cultures.
I realized that my quirks don’t just belong in my business – they’re woven into every step of my journey, wherever I go.
Step 1
What truly excites you? What’s that thing you can talk about for hours – whether it’s your love of plants, storytelling or chasing breathtaking landscapes on solo adventures.
People do business with those they like, and to decide whom they like, they need to know what you are all about.
I get it; it may seem a bit uncomfortable to start to “out” yourself and make that blend, but what will happen is that people in the long run will start to realize what you are all about (and how you are different from your competitors).
Not only does this make you stand out, it can lead to really solid business relationships.
Taming the Confidence Monster
Plants are not the only thing I tried to put away in the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey. Confidence is a tricky thing. It creeps in when you least expect it – whether you’re about to take on a new business challenge or step into a country you’ve never been to before.
One big thing for me was the fact that my native language is Swedish, and I more or less forbade myself from targeting an international audience, because I had convinced myself that people wouldn’t take me seriously.
But just like navigating a new country, I had to face my fear anyway.
One thing that really helped me tame this confidence monster was joining supportive communities. In these communities, I got support both on the business side and the feeling that “I can speak English”.
We meet every single Thursday and to be in this kind community I get a feeling that I can do it, but that I also have a pack backing me and holding me accountable.
It makes the monster easier to handle.
Over time, I’ve realized that confidence isn’t something you wake up with one day – it builds gradually, just like every new destination you explore.
Step 2
Fear has a way of creeping in when you’re about to take a leap – whether it’s starting a business or boarding a plane to a country where you don’t speak the language. Both require courage. Both require stepping into the unknown.
One of my favourite quotes is “Face the fear and do it anyway”. If you can show compassion to your fear and allow it to exist, it’s easier to still act. A supportive community also really helps; if you’re still in a 9-5 job – check out online communities.
The whole point is to be part of something bigger than yourself, people who will hold you accountable but maybe most importantly – will be there for you when you feel that confidence monster is growing too big.
Another way to tame that monster is to highlight your strengths and what you are doing to succeed on your entrepreneurial journey.
This is a big one!
If you can go back and see what you did last month, it’s easier to keep going and to back yourself up.
Own your Quirks
Have you ever felt like you talk before you think? That your personality doesn’t quite fit the mold? I get it – I’ve been there too.
For a very long time, I thought my tendency to jump into conversations too quickly was a flaw. But the more Zoom calls, meetings and connections I made, the more I realized that maybe – just maybe – it was an asset, not a weakness.
Now I am trying to embrace my spontaneous side and not let shame get in the way.
Step 3
People do business with those they like. And just like us travelers, we connect with people who feel real and relatable. The secret isn’t trying to be “perfect” – it’s embracing the imperfections that make you, you.
So keep it real – be you.
Finding Joy in the Journey
Success isn’t just about hitting milestones – it’s about finding joy in the process.
Building a business, much like travelling, isn’t always smooth. There will be setbacks, wrong turns and (many) moments of doubt.
I still struggle to allow myself to do fun activities, but they are so important. I started to knit, became even more plant obsessed, started to grow more vegetables and started to meditate.
Most importantly, these moments of pause have reminded me that I am not a robot.
I need breaks so I can keep going.
Step 4
What do you actually enjoy doing?
What makes you relax and let go of all the “must do:s”?
What sparks joy?
When you have identified a couple of things, it’s all about carving out time for those activities and allowing yourself to really do them and be fully present (I know this is a difficult one).
A big thing here is to mix joy and work, so the joyful activities get blended with work. Take the time to pause, reflect and recharge to keep your entrepreneurial spirit going.
Confidence, Courage, and a New Plant
At the start, I didn’t feel confident enough to step into the world of the unknown. But the truth is, every journey – especially the solo ones – is built on moments of courage.
Growth happens in the uncertainty, in the moments you trust yourself to keep going even when you don’t feel ready (high five, anyone?!)
Solo journeys, in business and in life, teach you resilience. They remind you that you’re capable – more than you ever realized.
Your authenticity is what sets you apart and will guide you to success.
It can be scary to put your true self out there, but let’s support each other while wandering everywhere.
I’m not putting that plant away, and I am not hiding any of my non-plant quirks either.
Actually, maybe it’s time for a new plant 🙂
