Remember: Corporate merchandise is what makes you happy!
Are you wearing LAST year's Sonic bag? Gross! Only the latest corpo merch is acceptable.
Smh if you're "fitting in" when you don't want to, then you're part of the problem by maintaining the "normal" status quo.
Stand out if it makes you happy, you might convince others to do so as well
And if a backpack is part of your happiness in the first place, that's a concern. Not "this backpack is pleasing". But "I'm actually unhappy in my heart when I don't have my special material goods"
I saw it as a metaphor for being able to express yourself and your likes visibly. Really, using a different item than a corporate mascot probably would have been a better choice too. But... I got it, in a way that made sense to me.
I do have some corporate things I enjoy... and even feel they have formed who I am from exposure. Still get flack about "when are you gonna grow out of that?"
I decided to get weird with my 40s, am I happier? No. But am I more comfortable in my own skin? Yes.
Same. I got sick of normal boring makeup and decided it's go colorful or go home. Blue and purple gradient eyeshadow with ridiculous falsies? Yes please!
Imagine going outside where the public is.
Sanic
Futaba would say "fuck what society thinks"
Is that this character? What show is she from?
Yep! Persona 5 / 5 Royal.
One of the best RPGs
Be happy, you will spread your happiness to others that want to do the same, making them more likely to do the same choice. Suddenly, a lot more people are happy while still fitting into society perfectly well.
One of my girls in the lab is always coming in with 90's nostalgia merch and we all love her and support her!
If you're interacting with something every day, talking about things like your phone case, your wallet, maybe a pocket knife or keyring, any of those objects should make you happy, or at least not cause you any anxiety. Think of how many hundreds or thousands of little interactions you'll have with that thing, and multiply the feeling during that moment, and consider the net emotional total during the lifetime of the object.
I had a number pad that I was using almost every day, but it was a bit crummy, so I splurged and got a better one. If I have to use this thing all the time, then by God I'm going to enjoy using it!
If the stuffed animal backpacks I want actually had all the compartments and stuff my trail bag had, I would definitely have a stuffed animal backpack.
I only really see 2 options: a backpack that looks cute or a backpack that is actually functional. (With the cute bags I want not the sonic one in the meme)
That's where you split difference. Get a functional bag with all the pockets and then accessories with the fun stuff. Put some wacky patches, pins, or stickers on there. Attach some keychains on the zipper pulls. Extra points if they're the mini stuffed animal kind.* You could even decorate the handle and straps. A little or a lot it's all up to you :) Bonus: it let's you show off multiple interests.
*points in my book at least. Becuase I'm a sucker for plushies.
Middle of the road. I’m a little weird but I keep it reigned in while in public.
I'd be miserable both fitting in or trying to be myself, either way. Life is just misery
