Individuality

This is something that was recently brought to my attention when a friend described my Twitter summary (the same one I use everywhere on the internet) as ‘indie’. A couple of years ago, I wouldn’t have minded a dot. I probably wouldn’t even have known what she meant! It’s only since people have started to use ‘indie’ to describe the huge volumes of youth actively trying to be different, that makes me think that being ‘indie’ isn’t such a good thing.

What I find most confusing about the whole concept is that the word is meant to describe someone who is different to most people. With so many people determined to achieve this status, indie has lost its meaning. It’s become the new normal for practically every teen I know!

It’s a bit of a contradiction that indie has become so mainstream, which is largely why I don’t like it. I’m different, but I’m not trying to be. Can you imagine how huge a waste of time it would be if I blogged and juggled and unicycled to stand out from my friends and didn’t simply do them for enjoyment?

I think it’s good to be different, but it’s better to be you. If you are the lunatic in your group who thought learning to slackline on a dodgy ankle was a brilliant idea, then great! But if you’re the one who’s happy to just read, surf the net and go out, then that’s just as great. In my humble opinion, it’s best to be you, even if you’re just like your friends. So be yourself, because that’s all you need to be.

Over and out.