The intellectual Albert Camus said "I am a rebel, therefore I exist". Being rebellious doesn't just mean knowing how to stand out from the crowd, but establishing your own identity and getting noticed by others. If you are tired of feeling like one of the many, follow these steps and find out how to become a rebel.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Thinking like a Rebel
Step 1. Support political ideas and social issues that diverge from those of the mass
The first characteristic of a rebel is to be able to develop a personal point of view, normally different from what is popular.
- The philosophy and works of rebellious music stars such as Kurt Cobain and Tupac Shakur were born to challenge institutions and to disprove the expectations of the mass. These characters have expressed themselves without restraint and without caring about the judgment of others.
- The United States was founded on the basis of revolutionary thoughts. In the 1960s, during the civil rights movement, mixed marriages were deemed illegal. Marriages between members of the same communities used to be common practice, but are now completely discouraged. Those who rebelled had modern thinking and forerunners of future times.
- Remember that "popular" is a relative definition. If going out and using drugs all the time seems to be normal in your school, oppose normalcy by proudly refusing to take certain drugs and hang out in bad company. Set a good example and spread it to others too.
Step 2. Discuss commonplaces and very popular ideas
Questioning what everyone thinks and believes means being able to oppose the ideas of the mass.
- The French scientist Georges Cuvier believed that the Caucasian race had greater intelligence than blacks based on measurements of the skull and its shape. His student Friedrich Tiedemann questioned his theory and showed him that there was no evidence to support that thesis.
- Questioning your own beliefs, and the beliefs of others, is no easy task, but it can lead to rewarding results. Always taking it for granted that the things said by others correspond to the truth is too easy a path to follow. Asking questions about issues that no one questions will make you stand out from the crowd.
- Questioning everything is not only a way to be rebellious and stand out, but also to reach the truth. If you come up with interesting solutions in asking questions, you can assert your point of view in front of others. In the sixteenth century it was still believed that the Earth was flat. Pythagoras, and all those who opposed common beliefs, are today considered geniuses of science and mathematics.
Step 3. There is nothing wrong with following common thinking at times
You don't have to be completely different from others to be a rebel. Following society is part of the nature of human beings and favors their integration.
- Even Kurt Cobain and Tupac Shakur, despite being among the most rebellious artists of their time, dressed and behaved very much like their contemporaries.
- People don't even realize that they conform to others. Following society is a spontaneous and natural process, however it is possible to recognize the moment in which one decides to follow society and be aware of it.
- By becoming a rebel you will also find many other like-minded people who share your point of view. It is not as rare as you think, artistic and revolutionary movements are also born and evolve from the rebellion.
Step 4. Rebellion is not just an attitude, but a movement
Being rebellious means knowing how to take the initiative and take action, it is not enough just to support a point of view that diverges from that of the mass.
- Even if you are a rebel without a specific cause, you will need to show others that you have your own personality.
- You don't have to offend others or say something that could hurt someone to be a rebel. Being a rebel only means having an original and uncommon personality and behavior.
- If your peers all play soccer and wear the same type of clothes, choose different outfits and interests that set you apart.
Method 2 of 3: Behaving like a Rebel
Step 1. Give your own interpretation of the rules and behaviors of the mass
You don't necessarily have to break the rules to be rebellious. All you have to do is be original and develop your personality.
- For example, if you play in a team and wear a uniform you could remove the sleeves and wear the shirt like a tank top.
- If you have the habit of inventing nicknames for your teachers, think of original and playful combinations.
- If you have to wear a uniform to go to school, try to give it a more original imprint that reflects your personality. Customize your t-shirts and get some jeans cut at the knees.
- If your peers usually walk slowly looking at their mobile phones, catch the attention of others by moving quickly through the corridors of the school. Walk tall, sing a song, or wave your arms like a gorilla. The most unusual and original things impress everyone.
Step 2. Always say what you think, especially when others are afraid to expose themselves
Expressing yourself sincerely does not mean becoming rude, and speaking without restraints in any situation, as much as supporting your opinions and ideas, especially on the topics you know best.
- If you think the food in the school canteen is monotonous and poor, talk to your school leaders and ask them to include some more appetizing dishes for the students as well.
- Don't rely on others to support your cause, do it yourself. Show others that you have the right knowledge to reinforce your opinions. If you can show others real evidence, your words will take on more meaning (for example, if you would like to find tastier food at the school canteen, point out that eating tasty foods increases serotonin levels in the body, stimulating memory activity).
- If your school organizes a poetry competition, prepare poems that highlight the improvements you would like for your classroom or school canteen. You can paint a picture of what you would like to eat in the canteen and hang it in the school lockers, or compose a song to sing in the canteen. Express your ideas, and your criticisms, through art, spread your ideas among people in a creative way.
Step 3. Do what you want, not what others would expect of you
Following the path of the heart is in itself the most courageous and rebellious choice.
- If you suddenly feel the need to dance, join a group that dances or invite others to dance in the school yard during the break. If you enjoy discussing your views with others, start discussions and involve others by asking them to share their point of view. Being rebellious in words alone is not enough, it is necessary to take action.
- Find out what your passions are and start following them consistently. Make it a part of your life. If you are an animal rights activist, take part in awareness campaigns. Being rebellious also means finding a cause to support.
Step 4. Dress extravagantly
Unusual and quirky clothing is a good way to communicate your originality to others. Capture people's attention every day, stand out from the others.
- Extravagance is a subjective factor. If there are already a lot of boys in your school with crests and ripped jeans, choose a more rock or vintage look to get noticed. Wear shirts with cropped sleeves, or pants with holes in them, or a very eye-catching tie that is loosely knotted at the neck.
- Rebelling also means creating contrasts in the way of dressing. If you mix distinctly different styles you will certainly be able to get noticed, for example you can comb your hair with a crest but at the same time wear classic square-cut glasses. Or vintage trainers with a formal suit, or a rock-themed tee paired with a jacket and jeans.
- Show off special accessories that represent your personality. If you like teddy bears, wear a necklace with a teddy bear pendant, or hang one in your keychain, preferably in your favorite color. Experiment with an original hair color, for example blue. Don't be afraid to appear a little "strange" in the eyes of others.
Step 5. Ignore everything others say about you
Do what you want, you don't have to go along with others.
- If you choose to stand out from others it is normal for ordinary people to target you, so expect criticism. Without letting yourself be subdued, try never to react to their words, don't take them seriously. People are scared of anything that is different or extravagant.
- If you feel mocked for your originality, play around with people's criticisms of you and use them in a self-deprecating way. For example, write on a "weird" or "bizarre" t-shirt and wear it to go to school as well. The moment others realize that their words do not hurt you, they will understand that they have no power over you and will stop making fun of you.
- If someone takes the liberty of insulting or harming you, talk to the teachers or the principal. People tend to attack those who appear different with the aim of "bringing them back to normal", it is a natural instinct to preserve the identity of a group. However, it is not fair that you are targeted just because you have chosen to be different.
Step 6. Stand up for your opinions and those who share them
It is not easy to be able to counter criticism and gossip, you will have to be able to understand when it is time to defend yourself and the people who share your ideas.
- Don't let others make fun of you just because you are different. It is not necessary to have to deal with him verbally and physically, a simple "leave me alone, I do not harm anyone" will suffice.
- Teachers may ask you to behave, dress and act in a certain way because it is "within the rules", so stick to the school's rules. But if the teachers are just trying to change you, then try to make them understand that you are not doing anything wrong.
- If you find that someone else is dressing and acting like you, seek out their company. Rebels don't have to be lone wolves, on the contrary, finding friends who share your ideas is a constructive way to express your opinions and your originality.
Method 3 of 3: Being responsibly rebellious
Step 1. Be careful in choosing the causes to defend
You don't always have to struggle to achieve the same things. Rather than always insisting on improvements in the school canteen, you can aim for other goals, such as the freedom to express yourself and dress according to your tastes.
- If some actions could trigger the teachers' negative reaction, and make you risk being warned or expelled, try to accommodate them and make choices to avoid getting in trouble.
- Fight only for what it deserves. If you are a fan of Led Zeppelin you could offer rock music during the intermission. If you are a vegetarian, offer menus without meat or fish at the school canteen.
Step 2. There is a difference between being rebellious and being insolent
If your actions could offend or hurt someone, try to control yourself. To be rebellious means to stand out, but always avoiding doing wrong or harmful actions for others.
- Teenagers are driven by curiosity, and it is normal to want to experiment. Behave responsibly if you choose to have sex, control yourself when you drink alcohol and avoid the use of drugs. If you don't feel like doing something, don't do it, sometimes even knowing how to say no is a brave and rebellious choice.
- Being rebellious means fighting against standardization. So keep your eyes peeled, friends in your group may be pushing you to take drugs or alcohol. Don't be afraid to tell him no, especially if you don't feel like doing it. Make your friends understand that you are a true rebel and do not follow what others are doing, no one can influence you.
- Some believe that being rebellious is tantamount to damaging other people's things or vandalizing. Remember that there is a big difference between being a villain and a rebellious person. If you want to express yourself through graffiti, just decorate your property with permanent sprays, paints and adhesives.
Step 3. Remember that all actions carry consequences
If you choose to be a rebel just to disobey the rules, and put yourself at odds with other students, remember that sooner or later you will have to face the consequences of your behavior.
- You don't have to be violent and unmanageable to be considered a rebel. You can talk like a tough guy and be proud of yourself, but you don't have to dare to hurt someone just to get noticed. Being rebellious means being original, but it is always advisable to be able to become popular without belittling or attacking others.
- Think if it's really worth it. If you understand that you are putting your education at risk just to show yourself as a rebel, ask yourself a few questions and think: characters like Tupac, Malcolm X and Gandhi have put the importance of a good education at the center of their thinking - and their rebellion.. Knowledge is the road to power, without it you will not be able to affirm your personality and your uniqueness.
Advice
- Contrary to some clichés, being rebellious is an attitude not necessarily linked to your personal style. You can be rebellious even by wearing a Disney princess costume, you don't need to turn into a rock star or look like someone who just robbed the Sex Pistols wardrobe. What you wear is just the smallest part of your alternate personality, being rebellious doesn't necessarily mean being weird. Indeed, even those who love the gothic or punk style hang out with completely different or completely ordinary friends.
- Remember that committing crimes can ruin your life forever. Be smart. Even carrying out a petty theft can get you in serious trouble. One day you may look back and regret your decisions and mistakes.
Warnings
- Don't force yourself to become a rebel just because it's in style. If you don't like being one, and if it's not your personal aspiration, it's best to avoid being an alternative at all costs. If for you it is a stretch then there is no sense, you will not be able to stand out and people will immediately understand that you are only playing a role.
- You don't have to prove anything to anyone. Don't do anything stupid just because your friends are doing it.
- Be prepared to accept the consequences of your choices. People will try to label you based on your lifestyle as well.
- Don't try too hard to become a rebel. If it doesn't come naturally to you, you'd better abandon the idea.
- Never lose control, unless you are convinced.
