We live in a society where individuality and uniqueness are celebrated.  We spend our lives searching for the person we believe we are, always trying to find our hidden soul. We dress a certain way wear our hair in ways that best reflect who we are, tattoo and pierce our bodies in an attempt to separate ourselves from the crowd. Yet the more we try to separate ourselves from the norm or the mainstream the more we become just like everyone else.

There was a time when outrageous hairstyles, body piercing and tattoos were a sign of a creative mind and a free spirit.  Now, it is just more of the same, tattoos no longer represent open mindedness nor a rebellion against social norms, now they are simply a sign of insecurity and a desperate plea to fit in.

We are not a society of free thinkers nor are we a society of individuals. We are a society of followers. We need to fit in. The old saying: “If your friends jump off a bridge would you”  is proof of how small and weak we are as individuals. Of course you would, not because you are adventurous and creative, but because you friend did it, what would it say about you as a unique and creative person if you didn’t?

Our need as a society to believe we are all different robs those who are truly unique the ability to express themselves. The truly unique and creative individuals in our society can only find acceptance when society embraces and duplicates their individuality. They then lose their creativity, uniqueness and social individuality they have striven for.