Standing out

Picture from tumblr.com

“Stop being such a special snowflake!”  Because that red hair you got is just for attention, not self-expression. Because this ‘flashy’ shirt you have on is to just bring more eyes onto you. Obviously not because it’s what you want to wear, right?

Before I start my rambling I’d like to say that I would not like this post to become a discussion on gender norms and what a certain gender should do or wear. It’s 2016, and these lines are blurring, so there is no reason to judge.

I was always baffled when someone accused me for “trying too hard to be different.” I am always expressing myself fully and truly – please forgive me for not fitting in your ‘standards’ and ‘norms’. I craved to be normal, it was kind of my obsession. But it didn’t work out, thankfully. I stayed stubborn and let my self be.

This type of hatred can be seen almost everywhere. In a range of age, social, and economic groups there are people shaming others for being themselves. And I’m kind of fed up with that.

Self-expression is probably the most important part of living. Being your own self is what makes life beautiful. Imagine a world where everyone has the same haircut, the same outfit, and behaves in a similar way. Doesn’t a world like that sound tragic?

I understand you might see someone’s way of expressing themselves as “too flashy” or “ridiculous”. But if they’re not causing any harm, why the negativity? This is something that confused me for years – people having something against people and thing which don’t even influence them. Someone’s hairstyle, outfit, behaviour – if it’s not harming you in any way, please stop the criticism.

Life is all about standing out of the crowd. It’s such a key thing to almost every single thing we do in our lives. Applying for university? Your application needs to stand out from the other’s in order for the admission office to notice it. Job application? Unless you are unique in some way, you’re not going to get the place.

See? Being “average” and “normal” wouldn’t get us into the most exciting parts of life.

Whoever you are, being you is always the way to go. And before I get someone saying “But there are murderers out there! Letting them do their thing would not be safe for our kids!” – let me say one more thing. As long as the person does absolutely no actual harm to you and your family, let them be.

I might sound like a hypocrite, because I might be touching the areas where you feel me going “let them be” is against your way of self-expression. But this goes back to my previous point where I talk about the harm you’re causing with your opinion.

Let’s try to live peacefully together, because this world is all we have. Our time here is limited, and spending it on hatred and attempting to make everyone “normal” is just a waste of time. Go out, stand out… and just live.
Craving
Stubborn