I used to feel guilty because I felt I should have been stronger, instead of continually conforming. Now I feel compelled to write about why I think it’s important not to conform, if what is being asked of us isn't right, and why we should learn to follow our own path.
It stands to reason that when we live by our own values and principles, we can live a more peaceful life with less stress in it and can be free to make our own decisions. Instead, we may conform to fit.
Make your own decisions
But if what others are asking of us doesn’t fit in with our plans, we should make our own decisions on what we want to do. When we try to match up to other people, it usually means we’re trying too hard to find a level of acceptance from them. We shouldn’t have to match up to others, instead we should think about our own wants and needs.
You don't have to conform
We should be comfortable around non-conformity. Not conforming helps us grow emotionally, physically and spiritually because we have freewill to do our own thing. We should not care about what other people think.
You can stop conforming
You can stop conforming, and as long as you’re not choosing to reject others out of spite, no one should have an opinion on what you think, or make you feel bad.
I've always been a conformist, doing what others did to fit in.
Then after my first marriage failed I said enough is enough and started doing things my way; but now I'm back doing stuff others do a little bit.
I still end up doing things my way, I just like to have some input from others and if it's something I feel strongly about, I'll do it my way regardless.
It sounds like you do what's right for you, but you still fit in with others too and if that works for you then great.
My own experience dictated otherwise, particularly whilst growing up. The more I conformed, the more I was taken advantage of.
I am a lot happier making my own decisions now and rely on my own judgment of what I want for myself.
I've spent the majority of my life trying to conform to everyone's expectations of me, so I really don't have a clear sense of just who it is that I am.
I'm just now trying to figure out how to run my own life the way I want to! It would be awesome to know, since I haven't ever known anything different.
I know exactly what you mean. I was the same growing up. I conformed for many years until I realised I was miserable!
I believe you can Randy. If you can put the past behind you and start making your own decisions based on what you want, you will eventually listen to yourself and will stop listening to what others want.
I've always done things MY way. I never was a conformist.
From the age of 12 upwards, I have had the attitude of, 'I don't care what other people think about me.' But I think I have taken it too far... it's made me kind of an introvert.
Don't be too hard on yourself. From what you say here in your response, it could be that although you were a non-conformist, you also had other things to deal with which made you shy away and become more introvert.
From my own experience being a conformist and then a non-conformist, didn't make me an introvert. My CP made me an introvert. Please let me know if that resonates with you.