I’m not trying to be cliche. I’m not writing about the typical “you should be yourself because you’re perfect the way you are” topic that many writers have bled dry. What I am saying is that there should be no such titles as “hipster,” or “edgy,” or “indie,” because quite honestly, these personas are molds fabricated by society that tell people what is and is not “cool,” and can serve as a platform for people to criticize or praise one’s preferences.

Why do we feel that in order to be accepted we must change ourselves? Is it because high schoolers tend to criticize anyone who is the least bit different so we choose to conform instead? Or is it because we are basically told from birth to be ourselves, however any time we don’t fit the social norm we are scolded? Whatever the reason, we should stop ostracizing those who are different from us.

As a society we have begun to categorize the different interests people have so that they can only fall under a specific category. Having an ENO is “granola.” Wearing black often is “edgy” and “grunge.” Shopping at a thrift store is “hipster.” It seems as though anything we do is automatically labeled.

Not only are we labeled, but people have started to criticize others for “trying to be hipster/boho/indie/whatever” to the point of people being ashamed to like things that they are into. It seems as though we can’t explore different interests or express our appreciation for our curiosities without having someone disapprove.

In addition, this can hinder us as individuals because if we are trained to think our own pastimes are frowned upon, then we won’t grow as a person or be given the opportunity to explore all the different possibilities out there. We are all into different types of things so why not embrace it rather than condemn it?