To Conform Or To Not Conform: 5 Ways To Stay True To Yourself
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To Conform Or To Not Conform: 5 Ways To Stay True To Yourself

5 ways to stay true to yourself in a society that's susceptible to conformity.

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To Conform Or To Not Conform: 5 Ways To Stay True To Yourself

It's 11 a.m. and you're on your lunch break. You've just endured the harsh realities of the Monday blues of going back to your everyday life. You're scrolling down your timeline, you see your friends "living their best life." It's hard to not get into your head… the comparisons arise, self-doubt, and "woe is me". In today's society, it is hard to get away from the pressures we see every day on social media platforms. To conform to the current fast-fashion, high-status, influencer lifestyle. The questioning of "is my social media unique?" wanting to gain followers, go viral or deleting a post because they aren't getting enough attention. The reality behind this is that although social media provides a community, it isn't one you see in real life. People are posting their victories, but very rarely do you see their trials and tribulations. It's easy for anyone to make their life look fantastic online. It's even easier to find gratification in the sole aspect of people noticing you and what you are doing. Today, I want to touch base on the topic of conformity in hopes of helping others to take a step back – and to find what is true to your heart.


Please remember this article is opinion based – these are simple ways that I choose to follow to stay true to myself and hopefully inspire others to do the same. I hope these tips and tricks and help catapult you to stop wishing you were "living your best life" and to go out there and do it.

​Spend More Time Outdoors

This doesn't mean become the next Park Ranger. It is as simple as it sounds. Get outside, get some vitamin D, appreciate the world you live in. Our world is consumed with blue salty oceans, galaxies, and lively green forest larger than our minds can imagine. Go see them, feel the earth in between your toes. Take the time to appreciate that we are a part of something larger than ourselves. If you think about it, we are all connected in the smallest of ways. Trees are giving off oxygen, while we are giving off carbon dioxide. We provide each other with what we need to survive and flourish. Go outside, allow your mind and thoughts to clear. Take a deep breath in and out – that's real. That's a blessing.

​Be Mindful and Present

Have you ever been excited to tell people good news? The feeling where you couldn't contain your happiness if you tried. You meet up with people, and see everyone distracted, frustrated, or on their phones. Suddenly, without even saying a word, you feel smaller. Your good news feels insignificant.


How would it feel if it was reversed? What if you were greeted with a presence?


This is why it is important to be mindful and present. Living your life walking around with a mind-full of outward factors is not living. You miss out on the simplicity of life. The sunset, the stars, the live music down the road, the way the breeze feels just right. Most importantly, you miss out on people. By taking the time to clear your mind and actively listen to people, trust is established. That's all anyone wants… to be heard. To be understood. To know they matter. That's why social media has become an outlet of getting gratification you aren't getting in real life. Try listening to someone today, without letting your mind wander. Without trying to think of what to say next, or making it about you. Let someone be happy and have their moment. By being present, our relationships can be replenished.

Listen To Your Calling

When you were a kid everyone asked you "What do you want to be when you grow up?" For most of us, it was the craziest thing our child-like brain could think of.


Was it crazy though? Or were we not thinking large enough?


Who said you COULDN'T do those things? Who said you weren't enough? Or that it wasn't realistic?


For most of us, the answer is society, our families, or perhaps our self-doubt. I want to challenge every person reading this to think bigger. Ask yourself "what brings me happiness?" and follow that passion. Dive into it with your entire being. Don't allow a degree or money to hold you back from what you were born to do. Show your talents, and if it doesn't work out, keep trying. Pursue another passion. You see those famous actors, inventors, singers, writers, etc. They chose to break out of what society told them they could be and became it. Someone has to do it… so why can't it be you?


The most liberating feeling is to follow your heart and do what feels true to you.

Travel

There are 195 countries in the world today. These countries are made of a variety of cultures, religion, languages, landmarks, and more. Perhaps one of the big reasons we are constantly comparing each other is that we do not understand one another.


Traveling allows you to become an outside perspective to others' everyday life. You become rich with the knowledge that you can't learn everything in textbooks or on google images - but with experience.


We were not meant to sit still. We were given legs to move, eyes to see, hands to touch, and a mind to think. Take a weekend trip, walk through a city you pass through on your drive, talk to people. Allow yourself to feel more open to others, and watch your life transform.


If money or time is an issue, create a plan. Make a savings account, even if it's just putting cash in an envelope. Put money away each week. Pick a time, pick a place, and don't give yourself an excuse not to go. Hold yourself accountable for making this adventure happen.

Take Time To Yourself

Turn off your phone, go sit in your favorite spot, and take a breath – allow your mind to clear. Relish in that fact that you are a person and you are alive. There is no replica of you in the world. People can look similar, have the same interest and talents, but they can never be you. How freeing is it to know that no one can take that away from you? As you are doing these things, see where your mind wanders. Ask yourself some questions and write down your answers.


Some of my go-to questions are: What do you love? What do you think about yourself? What do you want to change? What music do you like? What clothes feel like you? What brings you happiness?


When you can visually see these answers, you realize the only person you have to answer to is yourself. The pressures, expectations, and judgments of others disappear. This activity will allow you to feel more in tune with yourself and your desires in life. Like a cup of coffee, you have picked yourself up and reminded yourself of who are you. When you realize this, you realize that no one else's opinions define you. You are not your past, you are not your mistakes. You are a person, and no one can tell you who you are.

I hope that these 5 tricks inspire you today to get out of your shell and be your truest self. There is no one else like you. Do not let social media make you feel that you and your life are anything less than amazing. I want to end with one of my favorite quotes by the lovely F. Scott Fitzgerald…


"For what it's worth... it's never too late, or in my case too early, to be whoever you want to be. There's no time limit. Start whenever you want. You can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you've never felt before. I hope you meet people who have a different point of view. I hope you live a life you're proud of, and if you're not, I hope you have the courage to start over again."

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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