Mind you, that when you observe a person who lives a very bold, different, unusual lifestyle, they are NOT doing it in order to be a role model. Even if they were, they are NOT SUITABLE role models. Role models should be picked from the median range of people, as moderate, modest, and common as you can find, if it is a role model you need. Extreme lifestyles are ONLY SUITABLE for those who find them for themselves WITHOUT following role models.
There is nothing wrong with people who live extreme lifestyles, but they are NOT suitable nor trying to be role models, not for teens any more than for adults. Their lifestyle is on display for OTHER REASONS, not for copying them.
Following extreme examples as if they were role models for the masses will destroy societies.
Blindly following people who live visibly differently from everyone else will cause societies to collapse. “NORMALIZING” fringe behavior (like transgenderisim) by making it a common behavior is NOT a good way to do things. Normalizing should mean that you’re supposed to stop vilifying people who live differently from the general public. “It is normal” cannot be the same as “it is common and something to copy.”
If too many people followed suit, where would society wind up? Many of these extreme lifestyles are also fun because they are NOT COMMON. They are not MEANT TO BE COMMON.
What is authentic?
An authentic way of life is something that you crave to do, whether it’s common or not. Whether someone did it before you or not. You just want to do it. There is an internal drive in you to be or do something, and what someone else has done before you is irrelevant.
If you have an authentic need to follow a role model, follow someone who is largely considered “a common” person. GENERALLY, not WIDELY admired, if you see the difference. From YouTubers, find a NUMBER OF SIMILAR influencers, and compare how many similar people you know in your everyday life, before you start following their advice blindly. Otherwise, they’re too weird.
Why are people so vocal about their lifestyles, then?
There are several reasons why people are public about their fringe way of life. The least likely reason is to pose themselves as role models for other adults to follow. Trust me, they are not lobbying unwilling people to their cause.
They may want to inspire others who have an EXISTING curiosity toward that lifestyle to help them figure their own way out toward the same thing, NOT TO RECRUIT people into that lifestyle. Many of them would NEVER ASSUME that someone will simply start copying them like they were a model individual to take after.
One possible reason is that they are looking for authentic friends. Their tribe. They may be looking for people who ALREADY think or live that way, not people who are willing to learn to think that way.
This includes me. I am not a suitable role model, either, nor am I trying to be.
I am a THINKER. I am a TEACHER. I am a life coach, not a lifestyle coach. My authentic way of living is one thing, yours is another. My ideal authentic lifestyle is rather extreme. Your authentic lifestyle is potentially very normal. If you find it difficult not to mimic someone you listen to as a coach or teacher, it would be in your best interest to NOT follow me any further.
I am giving people a lot of things to consider, as I’ve found WHAT OTHERS WANT compared to the norm, or for example, me. People tend to project their own wishes and dreams on other people and assume everyone is going after the same thing. That’s a HUGE PROBLEM.
To dispel the myth of what everyone thinks a man or a woman wants out of a relationship, for instance, some people, myself included, feel the need to say, “Not for me, thanks, this is what I want instead.” THAT IS IN NO WAY intended as something other women should follow, as if I were acting as a role model for the masses!
The default setting?
I have a suggestion for what should be the “default” lifestyle. Sustainable green living is one no-brainer aspect of it, it will always score you points in society. I have some other ideas as well.
If you feel distressed about sexual identity-based lifestyles, I would suggest you start investing your energy in friends from people who are less sexuality focussed, even non-sexuals (asexuals), and who might even be interested in community-style living, sharing responsibilities, costs, and a home, even. I would suggest focusing on whether you want the community to be a permanent or temporary situation, and whether you want to keep it all non-sexual, or do you allow romantic alliances to form. Also, consider your thoughts and feelings about polyamory.
