“Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.”
– Robert Frost
When it comes to your life, carving your own path makes all the difference. By worrying less about what other people think and putting that effort into figuring out how to make independent decisions, you are building and living a more meaningful life. However, this is harder than it seems. For a lot of people, they do what they are supposed to do without regard for how it makes them feel and some even enjoy living within the boundaries of their comfort zone.
Being a non-conformist can help you unleash and realize your full potential. If you are up for the challenge, here are some ways in which you can begin your quest towards non-conformism:
Question Your Beliefs
The most important thing you can do as soon as you decide to lead a non-conformist lifestyle is to question all the beliefs that have been handed to you by tradition. Just because your whole extended family drives Ford doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best automaker company ou there, right? So why would any other beliefs translate from generation to generation in this same manner? Moreso, beliefs can be tremendously harmful. If they are not based on solid evidence, then it might be time to challenge them. You might be surprised at the number of things you follow and believe in simply because someone told you to early on in your life.
Stay Away from What Is Keeping You Down
Since a young age, we have been taught to do things we don’t enjoy and in the company of people we don’t like in an effort to keep the peace. And while there is nothing wrong with being considerate of others, when it begins affecting your own happiness and well-being, it’s time to take a step back and reconsider. Do you really want to keep yourself down all the time just to keep “the peace”? Consider the negative forces around you and try your best to cut the unnecessary negativity out. This will not only improve the quality of your life but will also teach you to make autonomous decisions uninfluenced by outside forces.
Value Opinions That Are Different From Yours
Friedrick Nietzsche once said that we tend to value more those with similar opinions to ours than those whose opinions are different. When leading a non-conformist lifestyle, this poses a problem. By not valuing everyone’s opinions equally, we are closing ourselves off to new and exciting ideologies that might transform our lives for the better! Think about it this way, it’s better to think about what those differences in opinion mean instead of closing your mind altogether.
Be Honest with Yourself
This one might seem obvious, but if you want to create your own path in life, you need to be true to yourself and others. Instead of saying yes when you feel like saying no, voice your objection and make your voice heard. By expressing your emotions honestly and being open about your true feelings, you are creating the kind of life you wish to live and showing people that your words actually mean something.
If you wish to start living a non-conformist life, start with these steps. Choose the path less traveled, or make your own path altogether. Whatever it is you do, don’t be afraid to think out of the box. The moment you decide to make your own decisions, you will begin to live the life you desire.
