*8Things: F*ck Conventional Wisdom
I want to run down the halls of my high school.
I want to scream at the top of my lungs.
I just found out there’s no such thing as the real world.
It’s just a lie you have to rise above.-J.Mayer, No Such Thing
This week’s list is a part of our series, Standing in Your Own Power…which is an extension of this *8Things . (It seems we have come full-circle.)
One of the things we’ve been talking about in our Standing in Your Own Power series is the difference between external sources of authority (institutions, cultural messages, etc) and internal sources of authority (The Muse, intuition, etc.) External sources often come cloaked in the guise of “conventional wisdom.” There are of course, good examples of conventional wisdom. “Look both ways before crossing the street” comes immediately to mind. But there are plenty of dubious CW soundbites as well.
As Jen Lemen once point out, “The Man” has really done a job on me. There are a number of thing in my head that I accept as truth without applying a critical eye. So, like Penny did with Fear, I’d like to say f*ck off to these *8 bits of conventional wisdom.
*8Things: F*ck Conventional Wisdom
1. I sound like my mother. Why does this have to be a bad thing? Motherhood is an honorable profession.
2. You should try to stay the size you were in high school. Seriously? This so does NOT honor our bodies.
3. It’s not a ‘real’ book unless it’s printed by a ‘real’ publisher. Um, who says?
4. Your children need to go to church. They need a religious foundation. Don’t get me started.
5. You need good grades. This is important for like, 5 minutes of your life. Average grades work fine.
6. You have to be financially secure. Really, the need for financial security and how you define it varies widely based on personality.
7. That’s not how it’s done. Anything remotely like this sets off big warning bells
What *8Things do you need to stop listening to? What does “everybody” know is true, but doesn’t work for you? Tell that stuff to take a hike in your *8Things: F*ck Conventional Wisdom list. Grab a button and play along! Put your list in the comments; or post it on your blog and give us the permalink in the Mr. Linky below. (We’ll come come say hi! ) Thanks for being here!
13 comments
ok Rachelle! This one is gonna be a bit hard.
I like your list and see many of mine in them. But I don’t want to just copy! :D
I’ll add my link once I’ve gotten through…
thanks!
Uhhh… Just 8?? ;-) BTW, my co-worker got a prestigous job because of his excellent golf handicap. The employer was looking for dedication and commitment and the handicap demonstrated this. LOL
Have a great day!
[...] I first read Magpie Girl’s 8*Things post, I felt some awe, some whoaaa, that’s a tough one. Could I really defy the logic of [...]
I had no idea how much I had to say on this topic! At first, I was intimidated, but I think I may spend several days on this. It’s quite fun & liberating & scandalous.
Thanks thanks thanks for the inspiration!
xoxoxo
It all seems like common sense to me (except maybe the part about my mother…I love her…but there is that tone I wish we both didn’t have! :) ).
But where did Nr. 8 go???
LOL…that’s funny H. I didn’t realize I only did 7. I’ll have to come up with an 8th.
Off to nurse a sick family…
Disclaimers about me I’m 21 so I’m i’ll still forming identity right now (not that you ever stop it’s just more pronounced right now) also I’ve been hanging out on the periphery of the Fat Acceptance and Health at Any Size blogging communities so that’s where a lot of my F*** conventional wisdom energy is headed also I’m sharing here because I don’t blog.
1.The world will not change so you must change to fit.
2.Flirting is a necessecary skill
3.Processed food will kill you (in some horrific fashion)
I honestly don’t think the occasional box of KD is going to do me in.
4.Boys do not like girls who are: loud, opininated, fat, etc.
5.There are certain things that everyone should or does like
6.You won’t get anywhere/be anything with out a university education
7.Manual labour is a lesser form of work
8.You can’t be straight edge and cool
Amen!
Fanfreakingtastic list!! I agree 100%…don’t get me started on organized religion.
The golf handicap above is fantastic!
Have a fabulous weekend!!!!
[...] Things this week is saying f*ck off to conventional wisdom. That means defying all those things I’ve heard [...]
This was so hard but it really made me look straight on at some of my beliefs.
I’m really proud of you Erin. Way to do the tough (but important!) soulwork.
Loved this! Here be mine: http://meghantelpnerblog.com/2010/05/09/8things-fck-conventional-wisdom-list/
All have been kicking around my little brain lately as I realize that as much as I think my life and way of thinking are normal- they’re only normal to me. But it works perfectly for me and that is the best part.
I love these lists of 8 things, Rachelle. I am always inspired by them – and finally, I decided to create one of my own. Thanks for all your support and energy and your commitment to our growth and strength and forward motion.
Peace to you, Gail
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