We feel so obligated to make everyone happy that in the process we forget that the person that has to be happy in your life is yourself. Society has grown and with its norms and ethics, we are groomed to please everyone in it. If we stand up against it or rebel and do what we like, we’re told we have attitude. If we abide and listen, another part of society labels us as innocent or gullible. There’s no winning.
There’s a set of rules that we have to follow – go to school, go to college, get a degree, get a job, get married, have kids, then have the same set of rules for these kids. But what happens when something doesn’t work out? If you don’t get a degree, you’re shunned from society. If you don’t have a job, you’re useless. If you’re not married, there’s something wrong with you. Why are there so many rules? Who made these rules? Why are we following them? Why are we shunned if we don’t follow them?
What happened to liking someone because of their personality? And not because of what job they have or what religion they are?
I’ve always been afraid of social media because I feel like it’s a tool for validation – how many likes, how many comments, if I comment on this how many people agree…but social media has been a source of actually setting aside these differences in many cases. Many people follow Emma Watson, or Pubity or Buzzfeed – many people of different race, ethnicity, beliefs – but we all follow these accounts because at least 90% of us agree with or love that account (because haters exist, so 10% should be haters…or inactive accounts).
The point is, we need to look beyond societal norms. Those were valid during a certain time but with so many options in today’s world, we can afford to try out new things. If I want to quit my job and go backpacking for three months, I can happily do so by doing my research with a FunForLouis, or any other influencer who has recorded their experience.
Now, there will be a handful who will disagree with me. Like Amy from above; you’re probably just the 10% who aren’t willing to nudge on your perspective. But Amy eventually agrees with Jake and Rosa (and breaks many many rules), so I’ll just wait for that day while I keep being cool cool cool about my life. No doubt no doubt no doubt, you’ll be joining me soon.
Happy New Year folks. I aim to keep this blog going this year.
THE IDLE MIND 