Attempt something new because it will make you more original, not because anyone tells you to.
Since our microcosm of society is now crowded with second-hand opinions dominated through social influence, which affects even our most insignificant choices and behaviors, it has become increasingly challenging to develop an original series of thoughts that could breed uniqueness. Where has authenticity gone? Where is the innate desire to be a stand-alone character from the start? Already nurtured ideas and acts are being passed down and accepted by others without pausing to assess their capabilities. And also, without attempting to achieve something solely.
Admittedly, we are born to imitate, copy from those who have been before us, blessed with experience. This behavior is often so natural and intuitive that we often fail to realize we’re committing the act. Parents are the initial and, for the most part, only models from which we copy behaviors and habits. After all, they birth us, raise us to a stage in our adult lives till we are supposedly ready to move to ‘go out into the world’ as they say. However, before we can become self-sufficient, we must first establish ourselves, primarily relying on our guardians’ teaching and interactions on a societal level. Then, as we gradually find footing in our growing world, we make something of ourselves by combining interactions from education, relationship, friendship. From there on, we are left on our imitation instinct and create our own experiences.
As we are allowed some degree of decisive-making proclivity, so begins the molding of our original selves. It is best effective when out hunting for self-actualization needs. You may think this posits cutting off from parents, ignoring friendly advice, or trying to make it out on your own without support. Some successfully exit their guardians’ wings saying, “I want to be as independent as possible,” but that isn’t what constitutes true independence. Wanting to trolly around free of curfews, restrictions, and parental guidance will not turn you into the most authentic person. However, it may indirectly facilitate the process as it is only an essential phase of growing up. To be plain, originality stems from the most detailed thoughts, feelings, and behavior that are majorly subtle but subconsciously dominant; tiniest habits, intricate acts, change in routines, daily interactions, and the most minute of deeds. For instance, remember growing up using a particular toothpaste brand, brushing your teeth away every morning with little care on how a thick new one appeared the next day? Parents, using their knowledge of ‘I know what’s best for you, have decided predominantly on what products to use, behaviors to act, and reactions. The keyword is “their,” and as a result, some are still subconsciously subject to your guardian’s choice of living. Hence, most spend the rest of their lives using that toothpaste without ever giving a thought on which toothpaste genuinely fits their dentition.
Indeed, there is comfort in continuing the ever-going cycle of doing what has been done before and blending in with the crowd, to not disobey or rebel against the conventional. There exist those who cannot function, dare think, or do otherwise without superior supervision or consent and without living according to the blueprint of other people’s lives. This could be due to a lack of self-esteem, an unwillingness to accept responsibility, or simply being too lazy or busy to attempt new things. They’re merely doing what they’ve always done. However, there is also boredom, complacency, and the prospect of never living to your potential. It takes courage and self-confidence to dare to be an original — to reveal your uniqueness and to show that you’re one of a kind. As with any endeavor, the rewards of overcoming obstacles and prevailing far outweigh the risks of not trying. Individuals who are dissatisfied with what they’ve been doing and how life has failed to follow them will crave novelty. When you dare to be an original, you are, in essence, daring to be “yourself” and everything that encompasses who you really are. To many of us, that can be a scary and daunting proposition.
Express yourself by cultivating your own style, tastes, and personality. When you work on cultivating your style, tastes, and personality, not only are you genuine and authentic; you become more attractive to others. You acquire a social advantage over others, which adds value to your life in an authentic way. Make your life an expression of who you are. You never truly become a stand-alone if you live off second-hand experiences. Taking up another hobby or pursuit exposes us to new mental models, which provides a fresh perspective to look back on our previous work. Use a totally off-brand toothpaste, read an unusual, outside book, learn about the dark arts, watch an unplanned movie, listen to an ancient album or podcast far from people’s prior opinion or criticism, and change products at random. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds. Do not be terrified of having opinions that you rob yourself of the opportunity to think and to learn and to grow, online and offline especially. Variety is the very spice of life that gives it all its flavor. Take it upon yourself to test things that call your interest in every way possible.
Become a progenitor. Develop your own and maybe become the person people look up to for better reviews. Adopt new philosophies. Test the waters; if you drown, so be it. At least, you leave the boat behind.
