Follow the path, they said.
Follow those who’ve come before you.
Follow the footsteps of the successful, and you’ll reach the same heights as they did.
So they say.
But is it really true?
Is it really that simple to find success in whatever one chooses? When there’s been plenty of those who’ve failed to accomplish their dreams?
Is it really as simple as wishing for it?
Those people did not follow wholeheartedly, they would say. They didn’t have their heart behind it. Or they had simply followed the wrong path when they thought they were on the right one. Or they simply didn’t have the chops to follow that path the correct way.
And to this, I simply asked: what’s the point?
What’s the point of living in another’s shadow? Why sacrifice your individuality if there’s a chance you’ll have followed the wrong person? Or the chance you wouldn’t be able to follow them all the way to the top?
Why do you think it’s true? If it is, why haven’t you followed it?
I don’t quite buy it.
Be a feminist, they said. They are successful right now.
Run for Congress, they said. Everyone wants a woman in office right now.
Start a media channel, they said. Girls are popular on the internet.
… but why?
Sure, I’d maybe be interested in being a media star. But I want to write for the screen.
Then do it, they simply said. Do this, this, this, then that. And make sure you do that before this, this before that, this before this, that before that. Their list goes on and on.
So they say.
And sure, they may have had some success. Some have had their own failures and successes. But that’s not the success I want. I want my failures to be my own, not someone else’s. Why would I commit to make the same mistakes as another when I could learn from them? Why be a successful copycat of one person rather than many?
Yes, it is tempting to do as they say. To follow the path set before me by another. A path that’s been through trials. A path that’s been tested to be safe; tested to be successful.
But does it always treat every person the same? Is it a trail that becomes more distinct with each step, or a bridge that advances to its point of collapse?
Isn’t it more exciting to follow my own? To blaze a new path? One I can call my own and be proud of?
You take that risk, they simply say. Take the risk that you may lose your way on this path. Or left to wander without anyone else finding you.
Yes, it can be stressful. It can be troubling not to know the next step forward. It can be troubling to not know whether I am moving forward or backwards. It can be troubling to think I’m stuck in a loop; one I would never be able to break out of.
But isn’t that the same risk you take when you follow another’s? I may not have the chops to follow them all the way, you said. Then what do I do? Break off and start a new one? Isn’t that the same as following my own? Or follow a different person’s path? Would I have the time to catch up if I start from the beginning of their path?
I don’t like to follow the path. I will say it louder.
I don’t like to follow the path.
I may tremble as I say it now, but I will keep saying it. I don’t like to follow the path.
I don’t like to follow the path, because it isn’t mine. I don’t like to follow the path, because it isn’t worth the sacrifice. I don’t like to follow the path, because I believe it isn’t a path; it’s a bridge. I don’t like to follow the path, because the options are limited. I don’t like to follow the path, because I’ve seen plenty of people make their own. I don’t like to follow the path, because I believe in multiple paths rather than the one path; how fun would it be to jump from one to another?
I don’t like to follow the path, and if I say it enough, maybe I’ll believe myself.
I want to make my own path.
But I do prefer someone to walk off with me.
Not to follow my own shadow, but to walk beside me. Both of us, our own, unique path.
Sometimes we’d branch off from one another. Sometimes one would wander while the other moves straight forward. Sometimes, we’d switch places and let the other wander.
But in the end, if we meet back together, we’d support one another. In the end, we’d veer off our path to support one another. In the end, we’ll still be able to support one another, even if our paths are far apart.
That is the only time I’d do as they say. That is the only time I’ll follow someone else’s. Only if the time is ripe, and if that someone thinks it’s okay to follow them.
But for good measure, I won’t do exactly as they say. Just to annoy them.
I’d make the path our own. And not anyone else’s.