Most people believe that we should live our lives by following a set of rules. From the very first moment we open our eyes to the world, we are expected to follow a set of laid down instructions and continue obeying them till we are laid to rest.
Should anyone dare to say these words : I didn't make the rules, why should I follow them?
Rules are there to guide us but should we simply follow these rules blindly? Should our voices fail to ask questions? Should we dare to be different? To not conform? To choose to live life differently from what society expects of us?
The idea or concept of conformity isn't as “rosy” as it sounds. Yes, it does create a sense of belonging which many people crave but one of the negative parts of it is that it can stifle personal growth and trueness to oneself.
Sometimes, in a bid to fit in, we lose ourselves, we just nod along and follow the crowd, denying ourselves the opportunity to think outside the box and when we finally find that one person who chooses to step away from the herd, the one who chooses not to conform then, we join others in "tagging" them.
“Unteachable”, “ Unruly”, “Unfitable”, we call them these names and more but deep down we know. We envy them, we are jealous of them and we wish to be like them because they were able to do what we were afraid to do.
To those who choose to break away from conformity, you might be alone for sometime, or for a long time but you won't be lonely for long but if you are, then you'd know that if you are flying solo, you'd be flying free.
“What do I see?”
I see a rose flower with snow on its petals and it is standing alone where others have withered due to a harsh weather condition.
“What do I feel?”
The image strikes a feeling of resilience and endurance against adversity.