Originality. I use to strive to be original. I wanted to be different. I promised myself I’d always be that way. But lately I’ve begun to wonder, has it become original to be un-original? I think so. I see it everyday. From the big box stores to the clothes kids wear, no one tries to be different. I often wonder if we’ve become a nation of spoon fed individuals. Just shovel it in, whatever it is, we’ll take it in and we’ll like it! 

Where oh where are you originality? When I was a teenager I lived to be original. I wanted to make people do a double take. Whether it was my black and white knee-high peace socks or my ankh necklace. I never shopped at a mall in a “regular” store. I was at Retro Viva on Pike Street in Seattle picking out anything that was black and scary looking! My shoes were either Doc Martins or something shiny and paten leather. With giant bows, black red or white of course. Sure, I looked like a freak, but I didn’t care!! I was me! Who cared if people thought the skirt I was wearing looked like my grandma’s tablecloth, it was mine!! I created it!

Even the music I listened to was original.  In 1989, no one had a clue who Nirvana was. But I did!! I went to their shows. I jumped off stages. The Misfits, All and the Descendents, Coffin Break, even The Cure for that matter. They were different. I wasn’t going to be spoon fed what the “norm” was listening too.  New Kids on the Block? More like Super Geeks on the Corner. I’ll pass.

What has happened? Now that the big box stores are here and there are McDonalds on every corner have we just become lazy? Are we just too lazy to come up with an original look or original phrase? Or is it that I’ve just grown up and grown ups just aren’t original?

I still try to be funky in my fashion choices. I love to shop at funky little hole in the wall stores. I’m tired of it all being the same. I want different. I want originality.

I know that corporations are out to make money. The easiest way to make money is to market to the masses. But maybe these corporations could take a moment to remember back to when they were teenagers. What was it like for them when they were spotted wearing shorts that no one else had, but everyone wanted? Remember when you bought the first album from that new band that no one had ever heard of? Man, they ROCKED!! You couldn’t wait to play it for your friends because you had it AND THEY DIDN’T!!  You would be king of originality, even if just for a moment!

If you can today, be original. What can you do, right now, to show your originality? Don’t hide your original ideas; it’s time to let them out! If that tablecloth looks like it would make a great dress, wear it! 

Maybe we can change the world with our original creative ideas. Stop opening your mouth and shoveling in un-originality, feed yourself!!  Do it!! YOUR NOT A WEIRDO…YOUR ORIGINAL!