Chapter 1: The Struggle for Personal Space

I often find myself frustrated when someone blocks my view at an event, like that tall guy standing right in front of me.

Photo by Andrej Nihil on Unsplash

I've mentioned before, and I'll repeat it whenever relevant — I don't see myself as a team player. Sure, I collaborate when it's necessary, and I appreciate the importance of working together for the common good. However, when it comes to navigating my own life, I prefer to do it independently.

This doesn’t mean I'm a recluse. I have a husband, and we enjoy doing nearly everything together. I’m surrounded by a loving extended family and a close-knit group of friends who bring joy to my life.

But reading that last sentence might make it seem like I am part of a crowd — perhaps even part of "a" crowd.

Hmm...

Still, I stand firm in my assertion. I don’t conform just to fit in.

I am acutely aware of the limited time I have left on this planet (more of my life is behind me than ahead). I don't waste my time on things that don't matter to me. My priorities work for me, and I only embrace the agendas of others when they contribute something essential to my life — otherwise, it's a definite “no.”

Does that sound selfish?

Perhaps, but I believe that those who expect me to reshape my life to accommodate their needs are the truly selfish ones.

I maintain a personal fitness routine at home, equipped with everything I need for my preferred exercises. The rationale for having a home gym is that I don’t view my exercise time as a social occasion. I prefer not to let a gym's schedule dictate how I spend my hours.

My greatest passions, reading and writing, are inherently solitary activities. Luckily, my husband shares similar intellectual interests, allowing us to enjoy plenty of quality time alone together.

I am also deeply engrossed in the journey to become bilingual. My language-learning app, French podcasts, storybooks, and Facebook groups are all key components of my daily independent studies.

Perhaps one day I will step out into the world and connect with others who speak French.

I keep up with current events regularly, enough to realize that my personal beliefs don’t align neatly with any specific political party or religious group at a level that would prompt me to fully identify with them. I won’t be labeling myself with any particular cause, nor will you see my support for any movement on a bumper sticker anytime soon.

When it comes to beliefs or causes, I think while not everyone can be right, there’s a strong possibility that everyone could be wrong.

So, am I right in my choice to stand out rather than fit in?

Maybe. Maybe not.

And that’s perfectly acceptable. I have only one chance at this life. The niche I occupy is one I crafted for myself.

Ultimately, the only person I need to satisfy is myself. As the song "Garden Party" by Ricky Nelson says, “You can’t please everyone, so you’ve got to please yourself.”

If you found this article interesting, you might enjoy exploring more of my reflections on living a rich and fulfilling life.

Chapter 2: Embracing Mortality

This video discusses strategies for standing out both professionally and personally, emphasizing the importance of individuality in a crowded world.

Chapter 3: Filtering Out the Noise

This video provides insights on crowd replication techniques in After Effects, illustrating how to manage and manipulate visuals in a compelling way.