Anti-chameleon

Anti(ˈan(t)ē, ˈanˌtī)-chameleon(-lēən,kəˈmēlyən)

By Derek Sivers

I don’t know why I have this rebellious(rəˈbelyəs) nature. I tend to want to be the opposite(ˈäpəzət) of my surroundings.

At serious(ˈsi(ə)rēəs) formal events, I can’t stop laughing inside. At crazy festivals, I want to hide(hīd) and read a book.

My ambitious(amˈbiSHəs) friends bring out the slacker(ˈslakər) in me. My lethargic(ləˈTHärjik) friends make me feel like superman.

When I moved to Boston(ˈbôstən), as a teen(tēn), and everyone was wearing black, I dressed in only white. I remind new-agey people of the scientific method.

Is it a desire(dəˈzī(ə)r) for balance? To represent(ˌreprəˈzent) what seems under-represented in this situation? Is it my love of seeing the other side?

I hear I’m not supposed to react like this. I’m supposed to be the same, no matter what’s around.

But I’m not the same from day to day, even when alone. I rebel(ˈrebəl) against myself, too. If I’ve been thinking or acting one way for too long, I try another way.

It’s worked pretty well for me so far. I’m super-motivated by the horror(ˈhär-,ˈhôrər) of seeing the opposite of what I want.

Seeing someone waste(wāst) their talent(ˈtalənt) motivates me to get back to practicing and creating.
Seeing a person in horrible health motivates me to be healthy.
Seeing someone freaking(ˈfrēkiNG) out motivates me to be calm(kä(l)m).
Seeing someone being selfish motivates me to be generous.

The list goes on. It’s been net positive. So, I’m not fighting it for now.

(P.S. I’ll never argue against preserving(prəˈzərv) nature.)

https://sivers.org/antic