Individuality and acceptance

We live in a world of prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination. A world where others believe it is in their power to belittle others. To make people belittle their value and decrease their self-belief and confidence. A world where others believe it is in their power to decide others decisions.

People are only engaged if the topic someone is talking about is of interest to them, we are too quick to dismiss others because we don’t believe the conversation or situation has value to our lives. Understanding that there is a reason behind everything people say and do, a reason which may be influenced by someone’s passion and enthusiasm about a topic, or even a mask to someone’s identity. A mask of individuality to reflect societies norms, to ensure there is no criticism. Criticism that is taught and influenced by the need to ‘fit’ in.

Everything must be labelled now a days. For example: if you like comic books you’re automatically a ‘nerd’, if you’re a girl and you like sport you are automatically ‘manly’ or ‘a lesbian’. If you like drama you are automatically ‘self-confident’. These are labels associated with our daily actions, our decision to be part of something that fulfils us comes with the consequence of being part of the social norm.

I think by going along with societies expectations and ideas eliminates the chance of being judged or criticized for who you are. It’s why people’s self-confidence, their expression of individuality is lost. It’s lost in the fear of being different.

Although, what’s the problem with being different?

We ALL have DIFFERENT genetics, different DNA, things that makes us unique. So why are we so caught up in being part of the generation and not as an individual? An individual who benefits the generation through their expression of creativity.

Living in a world where you must represent the trends of the moment, where it is said to bring people together only leads to isolation of individuality. That very individuality that may have the capability to change the world one day. As Einstein once said ‘It is important to foster individuality for only the individual can produce new ideas’

My advice is this; embrace who you are and what makes you YOU because you have the potential to make a difference. Also, accept others for who they are, never dismiss somebody for their ideas because everything has value whether you can identify it at the time or not.

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