Today, we live as rebels
The subtle burden of conformity, an intangible type of pressure created and adopted by society, is inevitable in today’s world. We were born and brought up to believe so, and our very existence has seemed to revolve around this singular purpose: conformity.
Most of us try to live each day putting our best foot forward, originating from an instinctive desire to be the best version of ourselves. We strive to achieve what is almost beyond our capability, fuelled by ambition and drive. And for that, we should commend ourselves; for it is contagious, and it creates a sense of purpose within individuals, communities, and ecosystems.
However, with every positive comes a pitfall. There is a crucial, contextual word here that fits the bill, and it is as far from any complex etymological derivation as one might think. That word is ‘should’. Our very sense of purpose has probably led to the significance of this word, through which we, as a people, reserve the tendency to single-handedly restrict our minds with formless barriers.
Over time and tradition, we have created structured, nearly one-dimensional approaches towards success, and by all means, most of us are able to achieve it as per our own definition. While there is nothing wrong with striving for success, one must pause for a second and ask — are we doing so on our own terms? For the most part, we seem only to aim at the target placed in front of us by others’ expectations, encumbered by our subconscious fear of straying away from ‘the herd’. In doing so, we lose sight of a risky yet enthralling opportunity.
Here, I confess that I find myself guilty of possessing this very same mindset. Risk-averseness and a desire to play by the rules — which inadvertently stems from my childhood — has led me down a common, well-laid path leading towards a chance of success. Only recently did I begin to question my intentions. What if, by doing so, I’m missing out on something that could prove to be more valuable to me in the long run — an isolated journey towards meaning?
Times are changing, and I find myself fortunate to be living in an era of individualism. With a growing realisation of self-direction amongst enterprising millennials and post-millennials, leaving the established path is beginning to feel like a societal trend (counterintuitive as that sounds).
But underneath all this disruption and differentiation lies a sense of uneasiness and uncertain hope. By choosing this course of action, one is effectively breaking away from the chains of familiarity and comfort to transport oneself into a gruelling and demanding world. The potential rewards can be extremely gratifying, hitting that ever so sweet spot where passion and perseverance meets success. However, needless to say, taking the first step requires a considerable amount of resolve and a strong sense of purpose.
I decided to take that leap of faith, to an organisation I believe to be driven by innovative ideas and pure entrepreneurial spirit. By not restricting myself to a singular role, I get the chance to dabble with different agendas, and discover a new client servicing industry with a unique perspective. Most importantly, I realized that this is an opportunity to not just restart the ticking clock, but to discover a new side of me; one that is always questioning, and always willing to explore new possibilities. I thus declared myself ready to embark upon a fresh journey; to live as a rebel, a maverick.
And so it begins.
