Diversity is the New Normal
By Martina
“The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It means understanding that each individual is unique.”
From a youthful age, I used to observe the world I was living in. I noticed that my lifestyle had always differed from everyone else’s around me. At 19 years old, I left my country, and one of my ultimate goals was to be “normal” and independent. I didn’t want to be the peculiar one. I ideally cherished to be like everyone else.
Ordinary people seemed happier; they seemed to embrace a more easy-going life. I yearned for that life. I wanted to appreciate what normal people seemed to enjoy. I wished to enjoy going out, wearing clothes I was supposed to wear, behaving the way society told me I was supposed to act. That wasn’t me, though.
At that moment, the word “independent” meant only “living on my own” in my mind but still adhering to what I perceived as usual. The meaning I give to the word “independent” now is different.
Now it means living on my terms physically and mentally. Making decisions independently no matter what society utters me to do and be.
A well-worn path to personal independence and self-confidence for me undoubtedly means digesting what I genuinely like and dislike, what provides me sincere pleasure, and what pushes me forward no matter the obstacles I find on the way. Ultimately being free of judgments, labels, and from all society’s manipulative dogma of what “Normal” is. Henceforth, it means to be true to me and myself only. out
When I began to travel, I’ve started questioning the status quo. I’ve traveled to many countries to discover what “normality” really meant. I've begun to self-educate myself on the importance of my daily decisions. I've reflected on the impact my decision had on the surrounding, whether regarding food consumption, behavior towards others and myself, lifestyle choices, etc.
After years of encountering different people from all over the world, I’ve finally realized what normality is. Believe it or not, there is no such thing as “normality.”
Traveling made me experience diversity and the beauty of it. I’ve experienced so many different cultures, traditions, ways of living, and so much more.
It opened a world I didn’t know existed. A world of diversity. A world where people supported each other no matter their “labels”!
Our world is a place where anyone matters the way they are. We are more than just a few words, prejudices, and labels. So whether you are introvert, extrovert, minimalist, female, male, black, white, part of the LGBTQ+ community, vegan, and so on, it doesn’t matter. We are all JUST HUMANS trying to live a life worth living.
I’ve understood the importance of knowledge to reach independence and self-confidence.
My role models are all the people who right now are fighting for a better world because without them I wouldn’t have unchained my authentic self. I’m proud I stood for who I truly am. I’m proud to have fought to stay true to myself and ultimately attain freedom from a fabricated normality that is actually everything but normal.
I had a deep desire to make others experience the same and start fighting together for a better world.
I created a blog/community called Individuality Empowerment individualityempowerment.com , where we empower individuals to be who they are and make them aware of the importance of their actions.
This is a community where we can express feelings and aspirations, learn about ourselves and the environment, plan solutions, and act for our good and the good of the environment!
We invite every individual living on Earth to follow us and participate by sharing their knowledge and stories and inspire others to take action for a better future.
Knowledge interwoven by action is what nourishes and unfastens our real capabilities and commits us to fight for them no matter what comes in our way.
An advice that I would give to my younger self and that I still give to myself is: “Believe in yourself and go for it.”
