What is “normal”?
Have you ever read the actual definition of normal? It’s quite astounding if you ask me.
The definition of normal is
conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/normal
Conforming is essentially being obedient.
What if I said there is no normal? That normal is based off of current societal standards and acceptable behavior to our peers.
It sounds so constricting right? But yet that is what is expected of us by our peers. To be their idea of “normal”….
And if you don’t conform to their idea and definition of normalcy where does that leave you?
Up a creek without a paddle
This leaves you isolated and branded. Every single being on this planet has their own opinion of what normalcy is. As unique as all of our personalities are, is how unique our idea of normal is.
So why force others to conform to essentially change their personalities to match ours? That wipes out who we are as individuals and we lose our self identity.
Can you remember who you were before the world told you who you should be?
Charles Bukowski
Really can you remember? I couldn’t, then I found myself seeking nature and the sanctity of it. The more I found myself in the woods, the more of myself I found out there.
By feeding my soul, I found my own idea of normalcy and chose more and more to be accepting of others’ personalities. Even when we have different values and opinions, it’s still so important to me to accept them as they are.
But I also found the strength to be MY normal despite it going against everyone else’s false sense of normalcy.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m still a law-abiding citizen. I’m still focused on my mental health as well as being kind to others. But I am truly finding myself and who I am without others, as well as society telling me who I’m supposed to be.
If we had all conformed to society’s definition of normalcy from the beginning we wouldn’t have some of the strongest movements in the world today.
From the #metoo movement, to the LGBTQ community’s strides that they have made, to the Civil War. We will always have the chances and the need to grow and adapt as a society. But one thing that all of these monumental movements have in common is that these were people who refused to let society and their peers define who they were.
The chose to break free from the normalcy despite the costs.
I challenge you to find a quality about yourself (let’s face it we all have at least one) that doesn’t conform to your society’s normalcy and choose today to be YOU. Set your own standards of who you want to be. It’s always scary to dig deep within yourself and put yourself out there. But you will NEVER be disappointed in yourself for being your very own, unique self.
As always my friends. Continue standing strong through the storms like the wildflower you are.
Britt
Feeding My Soul One Day At A Time 