On my way to my German class yesterday, I saw a girl stroll down Pollock. She had her earphones in, the sun in her face and was quietly singing along to whatever song she was listening to. Although surrounded by hundreds of other students, she was in her own world. She was rocking her head to the beat of her music, not the slightest bit embarrassed (and most likely unaware of) that people were pointing and laughing at her.
I envied her. I could never let myself go in a crowd I don’t know but I deeply admire her for being able to do so. I unfortunately could not get a picture of her, as I only briefly passed her and a picture would most likely not have sufficiently conveyed this moment anyway. I realize that this is not like the other things I have blogged about, for which I had visuals, but this blog is about interesting things I find each week, and the image of this girl still sticks with me and is therefore this week’s choice. After I passed her, I thought about all the times I sang while walking and turned a corner and ran into someone, completely embarrassed. So I asked myself…. WHY? Seriously, what does it matter?
My very stylish Arabic friend constantly critiques my white ski coat and suggests wearing my nicer (and much thinner) coat. He also snobbishly commented on the fanny pack (yes, you read correctly – my THON committee got fanny packs) I was sporting yesterday, telling me that it’s simply not fashionable and even if I think it’s funny, I really shouldn’t wear it in public unless I want to be ridiculed. And I can proudly and honestly say that I don’t care. While I am still embarrassed about bumping into people while singing, I will wear whatever I want! We don’t always have to adhere to society’s code of conduct and the singing girl (and my “you-look-like-a-stupid-girl-from-the-nineties” fanny pack) perfectly exemplifies this.
Good for you! Though to be honest, it's much easier to let yourself go in public if you have the escape to your own world provided by music. It's a million times easier to escape into your ipod and ignor the world around you than it is to escape into your own mind. But both are definitely possible.
ReplyDeleteHowever, in my mind, being able to temporarily escape the world, and not caring what it thinks of you, are different, the latter being much more difficult and admirable.
I am the same way! I love singing along to my music when I'm walking, but I'm so embarrassed when I get caught. I really don't know why. Maybe it's because I know my singing voice is pretty horrible?
ReplyDeleteI wish I could be as brave and confident in myself as that girl.
Although I often have the urge to, I never sing in public because I am aware of how terrible my singing voice is and would not want to embarrass myself in such a way. But just like you, I too wear whatever I want. Usually, I'm sporting a sweatshirt and pony tail every day during the winter because I don't care what other people think and am honestly too lazy to put the effort into looking nicer. I think singing in public though, and what you choose to wear, are two completely different things.
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