The world is full of major contradictions. Most children are taught that violence is never the answer, yet when people go out and fight for their country they are considered heroes, even if they're the reason some child in Syria or Afghanistan is missing a parent. Another huge contradiction that I see in society is, as children most of us are encouraged to be ourselves, not to follow the crowd or give in to peer pressure, yet 68% of LGBTQA+ Youth have experienced family rejection for being themselves and 40% of these young people are left homeless. One of the most common reasons that LGBT people are rejected by their families is because of religious beliefs which is a whole new level of contradiction. God told us to "Love thy neighbour..." not to "Love thy neighbour...unless they're not heterosexual." (But I won't rant about that right now, that would take too long!)
We also live in a very judgemental society. We are judged for the clothes we wear, the music we listen to, where we live, what we do, pretty much everything, and people form opinions on our character based on this. We are all both the culprits and the victims of it (some more than others). Girls judge each other all the time but it's even worse when it's coming from your family: "what on earth are you wearing?" "you can't go out like that!". Everyone is entitle to their own opinions, ideas and style, which people seem to find difficult to accept. If girls use their clothes to express themselves and they choose to wear short skirts or tight shorts they're judged, subject to derogatory names and are accused of looking for attention. The idea that we dress to feel comfortable and boost our own confidence, and not for other people's enjoyment, seems ludicrous to some people. I don't know what it is about people that makes us so judgemental, it's just society I guess.
So I guess the bottom line is, no matter what you do in life, someobody is going to contradict you, or judge you or tell you that what you're doing is wrong, and there is nothing you can do about it. so the only thing that you can do is be yourself. Wear what you want, love who you love and do what makes you happy. Do what you believe in and follow your own values. If someone wants to contradict you or tell you that you're wrong, that's their own problem not yours. If you live your life trying to avoid contradiction, and trying to be the person that others expect you to be then you're going to live a very boring life... Your happiness is the most important thing, remember that. Be yourself, there's no-one better.
O McD