To be unique, in its literal term, may be interpreted as an act of dissociation from established social categories.

In my opinion, however, to be unique is not simply a refusal to conform. Such acts of rejection are in truth— quite easy. It requires only a single voice. Then understandably, one should not be surprised that the individual voice alone is not sufficient to convince the masses. It is obvious that your voice will not win in a game of numbers, so then what else can you bring to the table? What is needed then, is evidence. Bare in mind, your evidence must be visible by those you consider blind— the people you paint as rigid and unaccepting. How then, will you accomplish this? For whatever you conjure as proof may not be recognized, an outcome increasingly more likely the further you distance yourself from society.

This is why I believe, to be valued as an unique individual in society is not to reject its categorization, but to break the walls in between. Let’s be real— society values normality. This is because normality is a standard, and we can trust standards. To be normal is to be average and to be average is to guarantee a minimum. Why do we value education? Because to have received education means that you have obtained some set of skills that should allow you to contribute to the nation’s productivity.

Returning to the discussion, the appropriate way to provide evidence of uniqueness to a society that values its norms is to belong in multiple categories that are commonly accepted as mutually exclusive. For example, this is how we categorize the well-rounded high achievers. Believe it or not, society is aware that it’s not common to have good grades, a healthy social life, and adequate sleep. This is why those that do are so valued and sought after. Furthermore, the success and popularity following such achievements have transformed them to be interpreted as demands, altering our perception of them as the norm instead of rare exceptions.

There are a couple takeaways from this. The first is that it is completely acceptable to be normal. Your life, although it may be less exciting than what your want it to be, will be an average one, and that’s not bad at all. The second is that then, in order to live an above average life, you must perform above average. You must be valued higher than at least 50% of the population. If you want to live the life of the 1%, you must be valued as the 1%. This is simply how things are. I caution against simply rejecting social standards just because you think society isn’t giving you the recognition you think you deserve. Yes, some do find success in influencing social standards by swimming against the current, but these acts tend to be of greater significance— beyond the level of the individual. In conclusion, the pursuit of uniqueness, the desire to be a valued member of society, is not an act of rejecting society, but of accepting it and finding a way to illuminate yourself from within.