pop•u•lar•i•ty - päpyəˈlerədē/ -noun
The state or condition of being liked, admired, or supported by many people.
From adolescence on, there seems to be a desire, perhaps even a need, to be liked and accepted by everyone. For some, the realization that they are not liked and or accepted leads to depression and desperation. In this age of social media fascination, receiving 'likes' from strangers or 'friends', adoring thumbs up, and or a certain amount of followers, has introduced a new intensity for the desire to obtain popularity. It seems to serve as an artificial or virtual ego booster, particularly for those who may not experience the same level of adoration as they may on social media, in their real, physical lives. Yes, in the world of social media, being liked equates to value, marketability, and oftentimes revenue.
Although I have experienced varying phases of physical popularity, completely unsolicited by the way (read more here), I personally believe that there is immense value in this: Realize and accept the fact that not everyone will like the same people or the same things. Everyone will not like ME. Simple, cut, dry. It is not bad thing, it simply is.
I personally feel a sense of satisfaction in knowing that there are things about me and the way that I think that are vastly different from the people around me. My grandma once told me, ‘You’re an old soul’. She meant that my manner of thinking was beyond my age. I believe that she was right. To be honest, it really makes very little difference to me whether people like me or not. I don’t have a desire to be popular, I desire to be MYSELF. I refuse to allow the vacillating sweep of social media, the virtual world, to influence my value of self.(Read the reason why I started blogging here)
I will not follow the crowd. I will not join superficial bandwagons. I will not give insincere praise. I will not do things that I do not want to do - to gain acceptance, marketability, or branding.
I am, decidedly different.
Sunnies: Betsey Johnson| Sequin top: ASTR (worn here)| Dress: Vintage| Booties: Moda (worn here)
Great Read!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tell!
DeleteLOVELY! Great outfit, and yes...I can tell you're an old soul and I love that! My mom tells me that all the time, lol. ;-)
ReplyDelete~Whitney
www.whitneynicjames.com
Aw, thank you Whit!! I've grown to appreciate being an old soul! I can tell that you're one too ;;)
DeleteI could tell that you refuse to copy or portray others from the very first time I met you on this blog and I so admire you. I am living vicariously thru your eyes right now and hope to see so much more. . .Much Luv!
ReplyDeleteI can't do it Neti, I absolutely REFUSE! LOL!!! I plan to bring more to the table, thanks for your genuine support!
DeleteYes, to all this, but especially this "I will not follow the crowd. I will not join superficial bandwagons. I will not give insincere praise. I will not do things that I do not want to do - to gain acceptance, marketability, or branding."
ReplyDeleteSTANDING OVATION!!!
DeleteGod bless you sister, being sincere to ones self is the best thing we can do for ourselves. Lovely read and great outfit.
ReplyDeleteThank you Elsie and welcome!!!
DeleteA fabulous red dress to go along with big truth. Thanks for sharing your authentic self with us, it's a relief when people try to be who they need to be without artifice.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree, I am most comfortable being authentic versus pretending to be something that I'm not. Thank you for taking the time to read this post and share your sentiments :)
DeleteI actually decided when I was about 13 years old that I didn't want to "follow the crowd". I've never regretted it! Good for you, too!
ReplyDeleteAnd--I love this ensemble. I am inspired to try something similar. That's not following the crowd--that's following someone who is creative in herself, but doing it my way!
Amen to that Linda!!! I was never a part of 'the crowd', even when it was unintentional-LOL! Being inspired is one of the joys of life, IMO, and I seek it out regularly ;)
DeleteRock on!!!