The Choice of Norm

I dream a lot when I was a kid, imagining I am the handsome hero who gets the girl, living the life of character in the movie. Never quite thought of getting rich, thinking more of living happily ever after.

Then again, in most part of my life, I had chosen a normal path which I try so hard nowadays to shrug it away. What is normal? Something most people would choose to do. We go to school, graduate and get a job, get married, have children and hopefully live a happy life ever and after. What if I choose not to be normal? I would skip school and or be a dropout millionaire, or start my own business or don’t work at all, or travel the world, or be a rock star, or leave the world’s material behind and live a bohemian lifestyle.


If life is supposed to be good, with more meaning in it, I shouldn’t spend my life working from 9 to 9 doing something to solve some peculiar business problems or needs which doesn't concerns me (is not creating a cure for cancer or renewable energy). Is there really any meaning in it? Did I work for the purpose or just the salary to sustain my life? The only think I like is the technicality and creation nature of my work, but I totally dislike the process of doing business and the end product. Meaning to say, my whole work package is not very satisfying.

So I decide to make matter into my own hands and leave the norm. I quit my job, start my own business and create my ideal business and work environment, doing something which I like. As I soon realize, no matter how much I like about something, it usually comes together with parts which I don’t quite enjoy. I can still live with it, as this shithole is better than the previous shithole.

Now, how do I get out of shitholes totally? Most would think there is no way to get out of shitholes, or it’s okay to be in shitholes, as there are millions of people who share the same fate as us. I always think that I am special, that I don’t share the same fate as norm (that’s why I try so hard to get out of norm). Practically there are 2 ways: either I live a very simple life which doesn’t require a lot of money (so that I can live by a simple and enjoyable work), or I work really hard to become rich so that I can live a better life later (hopefully not too late).

I really dislike the idea of having to work until 60 for money, yet many are walking that path feeling that it’s a reasonable life. To make a change, there must be awareness and needs (you can’t change if there is no need to change). When we break the norm, we shall be an outcast as well. A dropout, a jobless man, a world traveler, a millionaire, a rock star don’t exactly fit the norm, and people will look at them and treat them differently.

Why would I want to break the norm? I want to create my own life, and live happily ever after. I don’t have to wake up early, get stuck in the jam, or do some useless work because I am told to; and I have the luxury of afternoon nap and going anywhere without taking leave, and sometimes I am still able to enjoy working into the middle of the nights. It might not be perfect, but I am very lucky and a happy man. Yes, I am an outcast, because I break the norm, and still trying to. There must be something to look forward to, knowing to achieve something which I had yet to achieve.

Would you like to break the norm?