One of my favourite online writers is Chris Guillebeau, whose blog is the Art Of Non Conformity. I’ve just read his recent article “A short collection of unconventional ideas“, which I found inspiring!
Far too many of us have, over the years, done things just because we’ve learned that we “should” do them : have a job in an office, aspire to get a fancy car, get married and have 2.5 children, etc. – but sometimes these just aren’t meant for some people. I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with any of these things… just that they’re not right for everyone. Some of them aren’t right for me – working in an office, in particular!
I grew up thinking I had to do what others told me to, or what was expected of me. Now that I’m doing less and less of that, it can sometimes be very uncomfortable but also great fun. As long as you’re honest and sensitive in turning things down, it’s surprising how people will mostly just accept that it’s cool to NOT do something.
One question I’ve (slowly) been learning to ask myself is this : “Does it really REALLY matter if someone thinks you’re wrong?” I’m not talking about dangerous stuff here either … just simple stuff like turning down an invitation when you’re not in the mood, letting someone know that their behaviour had a neagtive impact on you … small things that can impact the way you live your day. I’m learning to listen to my intuition – so when something doesn’t feel right, but I go ahead with it anyway, it usually turns out to be something I should have avoided.
So listen to your own heart and instinct, and be just a little unconventional tomorrow … and see where it takes you 
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Let me know what small unconventionalities (is there such a word??) you try & how they made you feel…
Fri, Jan 29, 2010
Article Review, Personal transformation