Yesterday my friend Kiri Callaghan wrote a blog post entitled Just To Be Different. I loved every word of it, because it brought out a feeling that I have carried with me for a long time. I, like my friend Kiri, would spend hours customizing the look and feel of my characters in games. I can still remember the first time I played NeverWinter Nights. I must have spent at least two hours adjusting everything about my character until I got it just right!
When it came to adjusting my own look & style I was no different. I would find a look or style I liked off of a TV or movie character and try and incorporate it into my own personal style. And it did not end there. I would randomly rearrange the furniture in my room, or apartment, change the cut or style of my hair, mess with the display settings on my computer, and constantly tweet the notification sounds on my phone.
Today, not much has changed. I am balding, so there is little I can do with changing my hair style. However I have decided I like the buzzed head look and feel. But I still enjoy customizing and changing different aspects of my look & style. I have fallen in love with tattoos, and am quickly developing a list of tattoos I want to get.
I look around and see so many people who loose this sense of creativity. They stop feeling their sense of unique expression, and they fall into the suite and tie mentality. They start saying to themselves that they are an adult now, and should start acting like an adult. Whenever I hear that I want to scream! I am 32 years old, I make a good living, am responsible, own my own car, pay my bills, and live in a nice house. That has always been the definition of being an adult to me.
Why did people start thinking that the only way you could be an adult was to give up all your creativity, and love for unique self expression! I say this as I sit in my office, surrounded by other professionals, while I wear my brand new Doctor Who T-Shirt. I was so excited when this shirt came in the mail, and I have really enjoyed wearing it today.
I guess my point is be creative, be unique, be different. I don’t care if you are a child or an adult. Don’t let the world dictate what you should wear, how you should style you hair, or if you should get a tattoo. Do it, and be proud of it!
