Sunday 10 May 2015

Difference of Opinion

I've been getting into more disagreements than usual lately.  I'm not sure if it's because I'm changing as a person or if it's because I'm PMSing or something, but I feel like I've been a little sensitive, and annoyed at the same time.  Like, the disagreements with the parentals is normal, but I've also started having them with friends and everybody I know well in my life.


I think I just enjoy asserting my opinion.  And my opinion sometimes differs a lot from the people around me.  I'm not sure why.  And I'm not sure why they all have to disagree either.  Am I not carrying myself in the right way or something?  I mean, I get that I've said a lot of stupid things in my lifetime, but is that really enough to cause me disrespect?  Not everything I say is completely stupid.  It's like it's a reflex action for people to disagree with whatever I say if there's any sort of conflict of opinions.

Well, not everyone disagrees.  Some people do agree with me.  I just hate it when certain people gang up I guess.  And I need to get to the bottom of why I'm always wrong in their minds, or why my world view is so vastly different from theirs in general.


I feel like it's our demographic.  I go to an extremely sheltered all girls private school with extremely sheltered people.  And sometimes that's just the most irritating thing in the world because I know I'm extremely sheltered myself and that there's so much more to learn and we're not normal.  We're practically in that top .1% who don't really experience normal normal.  Lately I've been doing this thing where I don't judge, I just accept.  I've decided that everyone has their way of life, and there's no right way to do things.  Not judging people is not about being nice or anything.  It's not about how wrong or right judging people is.  It's simply about opening your mind to new things, no matter how big or small.  It's about opening yourself up to everything and soaking the world in, not them.

I don't want to be in that top .1% who has practically no contact with anyone less sheltered than I am.  I don't want to only mix with the people who look at university as a necessity rather than an option, the people who want to be doctors and financial people and lawyers and all the high end jobs and that's it.  I mean, I am one of those people, but I feel like to become a more worldly knowledgeable grown person, you need to mix with every kind of person openly.

But clearly none of my friends have that philosophy.  Or maybe they do.  I don't know.  All I know is that we've disagreed on some things lately and I may be sensitive and they may not care and they may be reading this right now but whatever.


I like people who assert their opinion, because it's more for me to learn.  So I like their different opinions.  I like it when people disagree with me and I might just end up agreeing in the end.  What I don't like is people who blindly agree with the person who disagrees with me and don't assert their opinion at all.  I wonder if I don't carry myself right, in the way that screams 'you have to agree with me', or if I've just said so many stupid things in my lifetime that nobody really listens anymore.  The other day someone said jokingly, after I confused Adelaide with Alice Springs (I know. That was pretty stupid), that every time I speak their respect for me just goes down a notch and has since the day I met them.  She was joking of course, but I feel like there's some truth to that comment as well.

But some people are just so freaking sheltered they don't understand some of the ways real life works.  It's just that some of the comments people have made about what they want to do are so absurdly ridiculous because they don't understand that life doesn't work that way and I just want to push them outside to go meet some hobos.  Okay, maybe not hobos, but just some older people who are in uni or are working or are taking a gap year, or even just to go make some year 11 or 12 friends and maybe they'll get a clue about next year too.  They need to know what they're signing up for before making the crucial decisions.


I feel like different people and their different opinions are important at this stage of life.  I feel like talking to anybody and everybody is important, especially people who are doing what you plan on doing one day.  And I feel like nobody agrees with my open philosophy, which is why I'm stating it here.

In fact, what I think is the first important step is to get an opinion.  If you're already disagreeing, great, you've got one.  And I'm not really right a lot of the time so you probably are in some way, not that I agree.  But for those people who seem to have no substance, no opinion, or even just an uninformed opinion, go get one.  Find yourself some substance.  Think through what you're agreeing with before you speak.  Realise the world is bigger than yourself and your little bubble.  Go expand your world view.

My opinion is that everybody's opinion counts, and listening to all of them makes you a superior person.  Just be wary of the reasoning of their opinion, and where they're getting their knowledge from.  And when you feel like their reasoning is wrong, or they're lacking information, or they don't even really have an opinion and are practically sheep, that's when you disagree.

Love,
M

22 comments:

  1. I thin it's important for people to have their own opinions. It gives them an insight into things and they get to look at stuff through their own perspective. It's okay for people to not always agree with you because everybody's opinions vary but what is important is to question, find out more on the matter and the other persons point of view because that will help in increasing your knowledge and maybe even give you another outlook.

    -Kathie K
    A Sea Change

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    1. You're right. Every person's opinion is important and if their opinion varies from yours, they may actually be right.

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  2. I think it's good to to have you own opinion, even if it's wrong. Because then at least you are not afraid of being wrong,and just agreeing with everyone else because it's easier or safer. I applaud you for voicing your opinions and not just falling in with the crowd. It's a hard thing to do :)

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    1. Voicing your own opinion may be hard, but having one isn't. Just don't be easily influenced. Don't be so agreeing in life. I think that's what matters.

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  3. I completely agree with you and it's really amazing of you to voice out your opinions, instead of enjoying the sheltered life. I think it's good that you want to be exposed around everybody, instead of a selected few!
    It really shows that you're a strong person, who wants to know more and correct her faults.
    I love being around with people who can voice out their own opinions. I absolutely loathe those people who are like, "Okay, I'm fine with whatever you say."
    I mean honestly, if I would have wanted a bland, submissive opinion, I would have asked my bedroom's door the same question, instead of you, an animate being!
    Stay awesome as ever,
    Much love,
    Archie <3

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    1. Haha thanks Archie. I feel like people are so easily influenced by their experiences, and sometimes they don't realise that there's more to life than just their world. People who don't give real opinions really are like animate objects if you ask me ;)

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  4. “If you hide your ignorance, no one will hit you and you'll never learn.”
    Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury

    Sometimes, opinion can be ignorance, but then, that is the point, isn't it?
    To better the ignorance.
    Always speak your mind and your intentions; never be afraid of the lash-back, but always be prepared for substance.

    Good post.
    -S
    Life's Perceptions

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    1. Thanks S. I never thought of it this way. That voicing your opinion gives yourself the chance to be corrected. I like that. It's another reason to be open.

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  5. I agree with this. But when I have my opinion, I never actually say it out loud, not because I dont want to be proven wrong, but because I think it doesnt matter. I have sad opinion life

    www.dicexcvi.com

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    1. Aw Kandice don't say that. Your opinion matters. I reckon your opinion's probably even more important than most, because you sound like an over thinker to me ;) There's nothing wrong with sad opinions, but maybe voicing them would make them happier.

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  6. what the others think is wrong is actually not. Sometimes they just don't have guts to think or even do in your way, so they disagree you. They're not rejecting you, I reckon they're rejecting themselves. It's good to speak out and be yourself, better than stay in the comfort zone and do nothing. You're good !

    x

    https://stylekooky.me

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    1. I don't think they're rejecting themselves as such, but I do reckon a little courage would do everyone some good. I'm actually not sure if I'm good, but then I guess we'll never know.

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  7. It's good to have your own opinion but I think it's also important to chose your battles. It's not always the best time or place to get into arguments and you do really have to stand by and live with what you say. Sometimes it's just not worth the hassle to get into arguments.

    Corinne x
    www.skinnedcartree.com

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    1. I think this is amazing advice Corinne. You're right. I've decided that disagreements aren't worth opinion assertion. Advice is okay, but arguments aren't. Picking battles is yet another skill in life. We don't want people to get hurt.

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  8. I think its important to have your own opinions and express them. My friend and I always have all sorts of debates based our opinions, along with evidence. -Jollygirl http://reflectionsofajollygirl.blogspot.com

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    1. It's nice that you and your friend have healthy debates. Sometimes I don't know where the line between healthy and negative arguments is though.

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  9. I know I'm sheltered but I'm also not interested in telling anyone else how to live. That's their business, what they do or don't do. That doesn't mean you can't discuss things but you know, with caution.

    /Avy

    http://mymotherfuckedmickjagger.blogspot.com

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    1. You're right Avy. If I'm doing this whole non-judgement thing, I shouldn't judge what they say either. I shouldn't think about people like this or tell them how they should think (even if I'm not persuading anybody). I have no right.

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  10. Oh wow. This is really what I needed today, thank you so much. Basically, I've been going through the same thing, and now everyone sees me as 'oversensitive' or a 'dragon lady' because I've been asserting my opinion a lot. I agreed with your part about people thinking that you want them to agree with you no matter what. It keeps happening and everyone just dismisses me or brushes me off nowadays. It's gotten so bad that I'm moving groups. Anyway, I'm happy to know that I'm not alone. :)

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    1. After reading some of the previous comments, some general advice I've learnt is to pick your battles. Don't go asserting your opinion too aggressively or it'll ruin relationships, and yes maybe people will start brushing you off, which is wrong. Jo, moving groups is actually a pretty big thing, but if it'll really make you happier it's up to you. Of course you're not alone. <3

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  11. When it comes to opinions and extremely sheltered people it is never going to be easy. I have a friend who is sheltered and trust me, we get into a lot of disagreements, so I am not sure how you might be handling so many of them! But you do have to bear in mind that sometimes it is not their fault that they haven't experienced things, and just keep trying to open them up without sounding condescending when giving your own opinion - no one likes condescending people. There will always be the some small conflicts along the way, but it is more so about how you handle them that matters.

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    1. I would never want people to see me as a condescending person, and I hope no one does. Handling people will always be difficult, and I know we're meant to want everyone to be the best they can be but sometimes life becomes a bit of a competition for me, and that needs to stop. Experiences happen to people when they open up to things, or put themselves in new situations voluntarily, or go looking for some if they won't come to them. There's always a way to de-shelter yourself if only you wanted to.

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