Stopping wanting to conform

Looking back, I had a strong anti-authority streak in me from childhood - I didn't trust authority figures. Plus, I don't remember wanting to fit in or wanting to be like other children. I still found friends - not the "popular" kids, just kids who I got along with and who didn't make me uncomfortable.

After my school years ended and I started working, I still didn't worry or care about fitting in; however, I didn't want to be seen as a "weirdo" who wasn't like all the other people. Having someone take the mick out of me upsets me a lot. Not because I care about being different - I just hate cruel people. So I stayed as true to myself as I could and I felt animosity toward people who thought I was "weird". I just wondered why society doesn't value all kinds of people.

Moving from Chicago to London at 31 gave me even more self-confidence to be myself and not try to fit in. The American Midwest is big on conformity - how you dress, how you behave, how you live, what you watch on TV, etc. To me, London had more tolerance for people and acceptance of "eccentric" people than the USA. Since this move I felt less like a "weirdo" in society. However, my work environment here was just as bad as living in Chicago. Not conforming to the "norm" made me the office "weirdo" but I didn't care at all. However, I didn't like being treated in a disrespectful manner and it made me ill and anxious - but I never changed from being me and standing up for myself.

Kitty Pes said:

but I never changed from being me and standing up for myself.

Good for you!

It is interesting what you say about the American midwest, it is somewhere I always wanted to go, partly because I imagined it to be the opposite of that. 

I agree with you about London, I love being there. Camden Market used to be a fantastic place for that, you could be as different as you wanted to be and anyone could just be themselves and no one cared. Sadly it has become so coperate now it is almost just like everywhere else. 

Chicago is a great city though. A lot to see and do (and eat!). However, the people aren't friendly. If they seem friendly, it's all fake. When you ask them how they are, people just say "great" or "awesome" never admitting they have a problem. The perfection conformity is non-stop, even among friends. I find most English people to be more honest and admit when things aren't "great" or "awesome".

I used to work in Camden years ago, what a shame it's now like everywhere. Same for Kensington Market and the Kings Road.

Chicago is a great city though. A lot to see and do (and eat!). However, the people aren't friendly. If they seem friendly, it's all fake. When you ask them how they are, people just say "great" or "awesome" never admitting they have a problem. The perfection conformity is non-stop, even among friends. I find most English people to be more honest and admit when things aren't "great" or "awesome".

I used to work in Camden years ago, what a shame it's now like everywhere. Same for Kensington Market and the Kings Road.

I find English people quite like that. No matter what's wrong, if someone asks you how you are you're expected to say "fine" or "ok"

Yes its a shame these places have lost their uniqueness. Camden Market is still good for food though

I grew up near Kensington, used to go to Portabello Road market a lot as a kid