For this post I want to talk about some of the advantages of life on the margins when it comes to having no affinity to joining groups, particularly the herd or mainstream. I thoroughly realize that for the most part we are social animals who let ourselves be ruled by  majority opinions. I just choose to not go that way.

Contrary to what we have been taught, belonging is not a requirement for living a happy, fulfilled life. Actually it can sometimes be quite the opposite.  When you have no particular need to joining this group or that, your self-worth is not based on a group’s approval. You can enjoy personal relationships without the need to follow the rules the group follows, or even care about what the group dictates to others.

Most importantly not belonging means you know of no other way to think or be, other than than just being your unique self who takes responsibility for your own actions. Yes, it’s much harder to think for yourself and question everything, and take responsibility than to just being told what to do. But, personally I just can’t see how anyone would want to live a life of “group thinking”.