What do you think people are really saying when they say they are special and different or don't fit in?

Not fitting in is fairly common and I seldom see it put forward as a boast or some kind of flex. Many who don't feel they fit in well wish they could a bit more as it would make being social more comfortable /less anxious.

The claims of being special /different bit often comes across as a way to excuse or justify behavior others object to or dislike.