Discover Yourself By Doing Things The Unconventional Way (Part 2).
You can read the first part here: Discover Yourself By Doing Things The Unconventional Way.
Thanks to Isaiah O. Oyemade for inspiring this second part. I hope I can answer your question.
Question: Aderonke, you outdid yourself with this one. The truth in your words is explosive. If I may, I would love it if you could go further, and shed more light on how a person can identify what to change and also draw out the thoughts that might linger between the lines in the mind of one who is conventional in nature. In better terms, I mean, from your findings, what would you say is the mentality of a conventional thinker or person? — Isaiah O. Oyemade.
I wrote a statement in the first part of this article that it is through breaking away from the expected and venturing into uncharted territory that we truly uncover our passions, strengths, and purpose.
Challenging conventions can be difficult. I’m not suggesting we act in opposition, but rather, we should pursue a path that aligns with our individuality and experiences, diverging from societal expectations and norms. Similar to a school curriculum that aids teachers in effectively imparting knowledge and enhancing students' understanding of various subjects.
I’m not saying it’s bad to do things the way they’ve said you should do it, but not to conform to it, there are different approaches to solving a particular problem and getting the same answer. It’s not a one-way road, there are paths, passages, alleys, and even expressways that can lead to a specific destination.
We are all born into a society with established rules and norms. We may find ourselves conforming to these regulations until we grow up, potentially mirroring those whose aspirations were stifled because they did not conform to the established norms.
The society we inhabit is largely traditional, making it a formidable challenge to deviate from these norms. This difficulty is deeply rooted in culture, family dynamics, relationships, and communication styles or manner of speech.
Therefore, an individual living conventionally, such as someone from a long line of lawyers, may feel obligated to uphold family tradition, even if their passion lies elsewhere. This could lead them to sacrifice their own aspirations for the sake of their family’s honour and reputation.
The mentality of a conventional thinker or person is characterized by a preference for familiar, established ideas, practices, and norms. They may feel more comfortable with traditional ways of doing things and may be less open to questioning or challenging existing beliefs or systems.
This mindset typically values stability, conformity, and predictability, and may be hesitant to embrace new or unconventional perspectives. Conventional thinkers often rely on established solutions and are generally more resistant to change.
This is why challenging traditional norms presents a significant obstacle. Such a person would have always had this thought process:
- Adhering to established norms and traditions.
- Preferring familiar and well-known ideas and practices.
- Resisting or being cautious of new or unconventional concepts.
- Valuing stability and predictability.
- Being less open to questioning or challenging existing beliefs or systems.
- Relying on established solutions and approaches.
- Tending to maintain the status quo and being resistant to change.
Confronting them and proposing an alternative approach that prioritizes their own fulfillment may intimidate them, as they fear being labeled a failure and tarnishing the family’s reputation. Consequently, they are hesitant to assert their own desires.
You can’t truly discover yourself if you always stick to the assigned path, instead of walking on the sidewalk or pavement, why not walk on the expressway instead? Well, that’s a joke, I don’t mean it that way.
Breaking away from conventional thinking can be achieved through various approaches, such as:
- Challenging assumptions and questioning established norms.
- Seeking out diverse perspectives and experiences.
- Being open to exploring new ideas and concepts.
- Embracing creativity and innovation.
- Practicing mindfulness and self-reflection to recognize and reframe ingrained thought patterns.
- Engaging in activities that foster critical thinking and independent reasoning.
- Encouraging a willingness to take calculated risks and embrace change.
Be the artist, actor, or fashion designer you’ve always dreamed of being. Take that bold step and walk the path that is meant for your own life. Stop living for others and make the decision to break away from the norm. It might be a crooked and rough journey, but you will still reach the destination you’ve always aspired to reach.
IT’S A CHALLENGE, ACCEPT IT.
