Do you ever find yourself people-watching?
I do.
In fact, while listening to the Journey station on Pandora while crossing the Puget Sound on a ferry this weekend, I found myself pondering what people chose to wear on a mid-70s degree summer day. I continued to ponder that everyone was wearing clothes that at some point was attractive to them, their style, and how they want to “brand” themselves.
This isn’t a judgment at all. Merely an observation and curiosity of humans choosing to identify and expressing themselves.
Which led me to analyze what I chose to wear that day.
My personal “brand” is golf shorts, “retired” Brooks running shoes, a baseball cap, and one of the 36 t-shirts from my dresser drawer.
That’s right. I’m a t-shirt guy.
Since my youth, the t-shirts I wear say something about me. The express my identity.
I have t-shirts that identify me as “Pops” to my grandchildren (actually two Pops branded shirts that are part of my ensemble); t-shirts that show my sports teams and college allegiances; that identify me as a Rotarian, a golfer, a coach, a runner, and a Superman fan, to name a few.
For me, what I choose to wear represent a billboard of me. This isn’t out of character for someone who is clearly an expressive extrovert!
If you’re anything like me, in younger years you might have dressed to impress others. You might have been reticent to express your own identity – both personal and professional – for fear of what others might think. If it was on a personal basis, it might be related to associations and acceptance. Professionally, it might have meant gaining favor of those who might hire or promote you.
As I keep chasing “unleashed” on the Back 9 of my life, I’ve hopefully come to a point that I care more about being who I am, rather than caring about how others might judge me. While I like vanilla in my coffee, being “vanilla” in your self-expression because you’re worried about being judged is simply not how you chase life.
Go be yourself filled with confidence. That includes how you dress, if you have tattoos or piercings, how you “show up,” and everything else in life.
There’s some uncertainty who made a famous quote that is appropriate here (I’m going to give it to Oscar Wilde because he’s one of my favorites)…
“Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.”
I will add – be proud of who you are and how you show up. It’s the most clear and confident way to live.
Keep chasing unleashed.
Quote of the Week:
“We live in a rainbow of chaos.”
~ Paul Cezanne (19th century artist)
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