Who Stole Originality?
There is one thing in the world that is becoming harder and harder to find. It's not that new must have CD in the store or the missing sock in your dryer; it's something a million times more important - originality. It's truly sad when you notice people directly copying the style of others. One word comes first to mind - mimicking. Monkeys mimic. Thankfully, most humans have been given a brain to decide what they like for themselves.
The next thing that comes to my mind - after how ridiculous they look - is why? Why do people mimic the styles of others? The only answers I have been able to come up with are “want of acceptance” and “personal insecurity”. It makes me wonder if they realize what others are thinking of them as they copy others. Do they realize that they are being labeled as “insecure posers” instead of “cool”? Most don't seem to think so and in that lies the problem.
To be truly “cool” you have to be confident, and confidence is nothing more than the ability not to care what others think when their opinions don't matter. When you present yourself as you are and not how you wish to be perceived you do both yourself and the world a favor. When you copy someone else in the desire to fit in you have defeated the purpose to begin with. You have become someone you are not and you, the real you, are something that doesn't belong.
Something that really amazes me is the fact the younger people are so caught up in what others think of them. When they walk into a room and sees someone start whispering the first thing that comes to mind is “Are they talking about me?” Admit it! I will.
One thing you realize as you get older is that people are just as worried of how you will perceive them as you are. The trick is not to give a damn. So what if someone hates that band you love or the color you died your hair? If it makes you happy go with it and do it with the realization that they probably won't give it a second thought - and if they do, shrug it off. Whether or not it makes you happy is the only important thing. Besides, a year from now it probably won't matter anyway.
The best way to find real friends is exactly that - to be who you are and not care what others think of you. It attracts people who are like you, and will like you for who you are.
Confidence and originality is, contrary to popular belief, something you have to work on. You have to constantly forget comments. And you have to find things that appeal to you because you like it and not because of what someone else thinks or says.
Another point is that while imitation is the most sincere form of flattery…it is also the most annoying. People become tired and agitated when someone else runs off with their signature style, design, and hard work. Complement them and ask what their inspiration was, but never copy them. Find your own inspiration and your own originality.
Don't seek out those whom you want to be like and worst of all don't mimic them. People will see that you stole originality and that you lack the courage to find your own.