Unsubscribe the Herd

Nowadays with the inclusion of social media in basic survival needs, it’s much more critical for many people to ‘fit’ in the crowd aka herd. There’s a tremendous sense of security for many who have unconsciously subscribed to the herd mentality. Just nodding to whatever the herd says, without thinking or evaluating if it goes with our values (unknown to many), mindset or thought process. Even a minuscule thought of not agreeing with the a group of people (office colleagues, society members, club members, professional group, community group etc..) is immediately buried with the fear of being ridiculed, considered rebel, termed outcast. However to the herd, the one who thinks & does out-of-the-box, a rebel, an outcast somehow appeals but are immediately pulled back with the fear of being outnumbered by like-minded fellow herd subscribers. It’s a dangerous situation to be in.

Credit: https://goo.gl/yHvJWV

It’s all a mind game materializing. You had a meeting and you missed lunch with your colleagues. Later while having your lunch you are caught off guard by a friend from another department ‘No company for lunch today?’ and there you are feeling embarrassed, sorry inside but we put up a plastic smile on and carrying on with something to cover up. Even scanning any 2 hours of our everyday life, you’ll understand how many herds we belong to. Nowadays there’s bifurcation in online/offline subscriptions too. We all have subscribed to various herds be it at a wedding ceremony; you are laughing at some guy who is asked to dance/sing on stage and then you are next. Or everybody around you making fun of your favourite superstar but you still join the gang just to avoid getting outcast. Think about watching movie alone in a movie hall, joining an intellectual laughter (of which you have no clue) whilst surrounded by a group of intellectuals, as a working professional not joining the pot lunch because you want to cut down on calories. There are many examples right in front of us almost every hour of every day.

For the sake of convenience let’s not term it as comfort zone, it’s the dire need of being accepted by others. Nothing wrong in that, but it shouldn’t be at the cost of our own values, our thought process, our dignity and our attitude.

Almost every problem in our life boils down to the age old mental disease >> What will people think, its more so starts with what do I think of myself?

There can be many theories, methods, ideas, acronym techniques to help people get out of that herd, but what in case the person does not want to unsubscribe? That person has probably already has left reading this article to join his herd.

Every change in us however big or small starts with willingness. Willingness to think and be firm; what if I stopped thinking and bothering myself with what will people think? If the thought itself is scary, god bless you. If I’m really willing to unsubscribe the herd, I’ll find ways to do it otherwise just being with them and pretending to be a part is the easiest, but it pricks and it does to everybody. Most funny and ironic fact is: the most insecure guy is the group leader and others follow suit. With the willingness and being firm on unsubscribing initially will be tough, as you might give in to the pressure of ridicule. However if we stick to it, the person will realize how stupid he was to follow that (or for that matter… any) herd.

I’ve been part of many herds in the past and today it all seems so stupid, waste of time and devaluating ourselves, but not anymore.

The willingness will earn you like minded people who can help you through it indirectly through live experience. Once you understand the secret behind unsubscribing one herd, unsubscribing others happens automatically until you become lighted in true sense. By unloading the biggest burden – what will people think.

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Every day, week, month, years and Life at large is too precious to be lost in different herds.