I'd like to draw your attention to this thought: we're all made up of contradicting traits, behaviors, and feelings. Now, this may not come as a surprise to many due to the fact that we often refer to our complicated emotions as "mixed feelings," but there's much more to it that needs to be explained.
If you don't know me, I'm a big fan of postmodern theory. When I came across this particular subject, it interested me because of how this thought was intertwined with postmodern thought. The theory follows the guidelines of the "belief in the absence of a universal truth" and skepticism that allows for individual expression. Because of this, the irony and paradoxes of life come to the forefront.
Humans often refer to themselves as "one thing" very frequently. One might say they're uncreative because they don't know how to draw or come up with artistic ideas. However, the same person may be good at coming up with a new dish to serve to their family every night. Does this mean the person still lacks creativity, or are they more creative than they think? If you think in a more abstract nature, it's clear that the answers don't necessarily "clash" or "cancel out," but they exist in harmony.
A common way that designers like to explore this phenomenon is through gender. Thom Browne is an excellent example of someone who takes this thought to the next level. In his collections, he features genderless clothing. If you haven't seen it already, he is also known for including skirts that are tailored to men. In his collections, he explores how, for each person on this planet Earth, masculinity and femininity are not mutually exclusive. Masks may be worn, and people may hide within a shell of themselves, but that doesn't mean there isn't more to them than what meets the eye.
Every human is made up of certain characteristics that they both like and dislike about themselves—characteristics that we try to hide and characteristics that we put on display. Because of social media, we're able to perfect these skills by solely using our thumbs. However, this isn't the truth. So many of us have a side that is pure and more conservative, but we sometimes try to hide some of our more perverted aspects because of the shame that comes with it. It'd be a lie to say we've lived our life without indulging in bad behavior, but that doesn't mean we are evil. For most of us, good behavior outshines negative actions both intentionally and unintentionally.
So are you good or evil? Are you innocent, or are you too sexual? Even I have issues answering these questions sometimes. It all depends on how someone sees you or how you see yourself. It also depends on the light you're in and how well you hide certain aspects of your life. There is no perfect way to answer these questions because everyone has a different opinion. But that is simply what makes us human. No matter how hard we try to hide the negative things about ourselves, they are still there.
Now that thought is planted in your mind, will you embrace certain sides of yourself, or will you remain stagnant and, in return, feel more safe? That is up to you. Either way, that is, again, what makes you human.
Thanks for reading,
TM
0 comments