How Can I Be More Normal?

We are – almost all of us – deeply attracted to the idea of being normal. But what if our idea of ‘normal’ isn’t normal? A plea for a broader definition of an important term.


FURTHER READING

“It really matters what we think of as ‘being normal,’ because we are collective creatures. We’re acutely receptive to group dynamics and sensitive to where we fit in – or the ways in which we don’t. No matter how much we praise individualism and see ourselves as unique we are, in fact, deeply influenced by our picture of what is ‘normal’ in our society…”


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CREDITS

Produced in collaboration with:

Tomás Pichardo-Espaillat

[LunyMilky]

We just don't want to end up alone. Being "normal" helps us having more of a chance of having someone that relates with us - it's like the most common of common grounds...

[physicsboy]

The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique - Walt Disney,

[SweetLilWren]

To ALL commenters, normal is merely the word used to explain what is usual. Usually people say they don't want to be normal, but that is the usual, aka normal. Usually people are all dealing with the same problems, hopes, worries and goals as everyone, just not at the same time, with the same details. We are all normal, because we are all people. And I believe it is normal to feel abnormal 😉
P.S. I hate the emojis on my new phone, that is all.

[fadifadi]

"The asymmetry between self-knowledge and the knowledge of others is the cause of loneliness"
so damn right..

[charliebucket]

I've always considered 'normal' to be a very dangerous and damaging term because once you declare something or someone as normal, you automatically pathologize everything/one else. Furthermore, normal is restricted by culture, nationality and demographics; one culture's normal is another's culture insanity. That alone proves normality is a plastic term that can never exist or stand on its own but always needs the interpretation and input of living beings that have established their individual set of rules and norms that serves their system best.

[mikenov.]

My mom asked me why can’t I be a normal kid so I’m watching this.

[mephistophelesthesilentchi]

The individual is a component of society, and society is a component of the individual. Thus In rejecting oneself, one also rejects everyone else. And self understanding begins with empathy.

[gavloft]

Wear ripped jeans and stare at a smart phone all day.

[pizzas]

Everyone is all like "what's fun about being normal?" But it is exactly what it is being normal and being placed into something filled with acceptance and likability

[Voidsworn]

We are all alone, inside. We live alone, and die alone. Have a wonderful day :)

[anupriya]

Fun fact : nothing is normal everything is different

[Swagstufff]

I came here for advice on fitting in at my school, but I instead got a video that made me question why I wanted advice in the first place. Thank you.

[SergioDuFont]

After years of experimenting with social interactions, I have found that the absolute vast majority of people can't handle those who are open about the unspoken aspects of their life and find it very uncomfortable. They avoid people who interact like this.

[sahilhanda]

We are all united more by our odd quirks and weird intricacies than any sense of being normal. The fact that we can never enter someone else's head limits our ability to realize this, however, which means honest communication is one of the most important antidotes to suffering. The number of people that actually step so far outside the norm to be considered weird (for good or for bad) is extremely small, and that makes sense; we may all be unique, but we are all the same species after all. If we are going to declare ourselves to be at odds with our fellow humans, we better have something worthwhile to say; otherwise, we may be right to slip back into the norms of the current society that we have worked so hard for in order to prevent us from harming it. Individualism and uniqueness are important because it is the root of all human progress but, by the same token, encouraging everyone to denounce themselves as separate from their kin promotes the idea that we are far more alone than we think we are. Once we see ourselves as social animals who are 99/9% the same (feelings, emotions, dark thoughts, lack of control included), we can place less emphasis on being remembered and being understood and more on helping others and recognizing our mutual otherness.

[kiwiabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvw]

Just remember that fitting in... Doesn't make you a better person. What matters is how to treat yourself and others, that's what will determine whether you're a good person

[nguyendanhbanga]

I can't believe there would be a day I watch this

[allisonventures]

I'm anxious quite often. I always come to the conclusion it's just me and get sad.

[nadiyarashid]

A lot of young people actively pride themselves on being abnormal and seem quite offended if you suggest it's okay you're normal! Idk if this is a confusion between normality and individuality but almost every person I interact with would not call themselves normal. And yet, without meaning to offend, I think they all are. Has anyone else noticed this?

[rehanaparvin]

I feel like me and my life was never normal!

[Maracujakeks]

This channel is just absolutely brilliant.