Does being different become the new normal?
āThe influence of significant others on individuals"
Dansaertvlamingen, a group name for young people living in an urban context who like to brag about their trendy and conscious life choices and activities (reading only quality newspapers, having durable houses, obsessed with lattes,…).
I was reading an interview with Sara Leemans, who invented the term and has now released a sketch program with the same name. She stated: “Everyone tries to be unique but because of that they start looking more and more alike.” This quote struck me and made me think: If everyone tries to be different, does different then become normal? Will being different equal being the same?
If you look around, a lot of people start indeed looking the same. Everyone seems to like the same things. Are we then adapting ourselves to the context we are living in? Even the most extravagant people are surrounded by people who have quite a similar style. In the case of the Dansaertvlamingen there is a kind of trade-off between the city you are living in and the appearance of the locals.
In sociology they talk about the influence of significant others on individuals. Just for the record, this has nothing to do with an intimate relationship. A significant other is someone about whom you have some degree of specific knowledge and you pay extra attention to his/her personal thoughts, feelings or expectations. In other words, someone to whom you mirror yourself in the expression of your own identity. This entails of course the risk of starting to compare yourself and you might feel that the other is ‘better’ than you. I cannot stress enough that you should avoid comparing yourself to others.
With everyone trying to be different, people usually tend to look for inspiration. And when they start looking for inspiration, they will probably do something that has been done before. So to be really unique, it has to come from you! You must add your own spice…
Being unique means that you separate yourself from others via something no one can replicate: your personality. (Let me help you uncover that!) Being different for the sake of being different is the new normal because everyone wants to be different. And that is what Sara Leemans probably meant when she said that everyone looks the same because they are trying to be different…
Some food for thought…
- Who are your significant others? In your personal life (Maybe you are part of the Dansaertvlamingen...)? In your professional life?
- Are you aware of what makes you and your personality unique?
- Do you still stand out in your own natural way amongst your significant others? Or do you confirm that you are just a look-alike with maybe a very subtle twist?
Become different. Not different like the others. Then you are just the same. Become unique, just by being you…
Would you like to know how you separate yourself from others via your personality? I can show you how the world sees you with my Your Personal Brand kickstart with Fascinate® program (Available in Nederlands and English!). You can always book a FREE discovery call with me to find out if this program is something for you.
