On college campuses, it is not uncommon to see the often praised utilitarian backpack. Picture a black, navy, or gray look with 10 pockets that could fit possibly anything you need in your day, like textbooks, water bottles, gum, wallets, phones, and yes, a laptop. College is indeed a serious environment where students have to be practical in their supplies, so it’s very valid to desire to blend in with the crowd of “generic,” or want to be the same. Society often praises sameness in many respects; think of the people who wanted Stanley cups in 2023, or the fidget spinner craze of 2017.

But for me, I don’t think so. I have indeed been in the mindset of wanting to be like everyone else with their neutral backpacks and serious-looking supplies. It wasn’t until last year when I decided I’ve had enough with being “normal” or “generic.” The gray sports team backpack I wore looked very ugly, and I remember thinking black is too impersonal. I wanted a bag that was both aesthetically pleasing to the eyes and practical. At that point, I went to the store and got shown a few options. The one I picked was a lavender-purplish bag from the brand Embark, with 7 pockets, including a jar-top lunchbox-like second main compartment. This bag costs $39.99 at Target. It looked very beautiful, while still providing plenty of space for everything I need.

When I came to EMU, I took another backpack: a cute pink one with butterflies and flowerprints. This was my favorite one, which I wore throughout late elementary and part of middle school. Even now, it still functions as a great bag to carry on the go. In my unique situation where I don’t use physical textbooks, it carries my laptop and other items comfortably with only four pockets. This is the bag I am often seen wearing while traversing campus, and adding a pineapple charm makes it look whimsical and playful. It goes beyond my backpack, though, including a pen with a star, notebooks with cute designs, and even a panda-shaped hygiene bag. My goal was not to show off a childish impression; rather, I wanted to stand out and have items that were far from what was considered standard. Did it feel weird to be carrying an 11-inch girlish backpack in a sea of black and gray? Of course, but I got over that quickly, and now it is something I proudly show around EMU.

With all these details in mind, it is fair to say I am quite expressive of my individuality. After switching my style, it made me think of how much normalized sameness really is. We see it around us every day, with the same iPhones, same fashion trends, and same coveted status symbols. I don’t think being unique should be seen as shameful or unusual. It’s an act that takes a lot of courage, and expressing yourself in your own unique style can actually make you more memorable than blending in with the crowd. In college settings specifically, it can also make for good conversation starters, and it is a good way to add some fun in an environment that emphasizes seriousness and focus. With EMU already being on a first-name basis, too, the chance of others remembering your name is even better. We humans are wired to follow in what others are doing, like standing up in a theater during an ovation. In The Giver, by Lois Lowry, the main idea is that sameness is often promoted and normalized, and we as individuals have the power to change it. I highly encourage anybody reading to get out of your comfort zone with your styles. Be free to express yourselves however you want that best fits your personality. Don’t be ashamed to be unconventional. A quote from the movie, Wonder, states:

“If they stare, let them stare. You can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.” – Via Pullman

Remember, being different is okay. You don’t have to be trapped in the depths of sameness or “normality.” Sometimes we have to accept that, as financial expert Dave Ramsey says, “normal sucks,” so that we can decide we want to change.