Smart Doll – Courage (anime)

It takes courage to be who you are in a society that wants you to be otherwise.—

From the Edo period, a Japanese proverb, Deru kugi wa utareru (), meaning the nail that sticks out gets hammered down, aptly describes the societal pressure to conform. This metaphor refers to individuals who distinguish themselves by being different and, as a result, face pressure to conform and not stand out.

Historically, as hunter-gatherers began to form groups, conforming to social norms was crucial for survival. Deviating from these norms could lead to exclusion from the group, significantly lowering ones chances of survival.

Today, however, I would argue that the opposite is true: being the same as everyone else can actually decrease your chances of thriving. Survival is not merely about staying aliveits about living life on your terms, not according to societal expectations.

If you choose conformity, consider a fitting proverb from Kenshiro in Fist of the North Star: Omae wa mou shindeiru (), which translates to Youre already dead.

Stay courageous.