It’s high time we started normalizing some things in life. Haven’t you ever thought of some traits or behaviours that should be normalized in life? Yes, everyone, including me, thinks that in today’s society, there are several things that we still regard as taboo and not normal. But, don’t you feel it’s time we started normalizing in life? It may be certain behaviours, habits, or new practices, but there are many things you should accept and start normalizing in today’s world.
Check the below list of things we consider taboo but should start normalizing in life.
Mental Health Check-ins
Not everyone thinks and behaves alike, and not everyone’s mental health is the same. Mental health is a priority for most of us. Everyone has their own ups and downs; hence, mental check-ins are also important in our lives. But to what extent do we consider it a normal act? I don’t think mental health check-ins are a normal thing. We should start normalizing mental health check-ups just as we normalise physical health consultations.
Self-care
Self-care, or taking care of oneself, is not a selfish activity. Taking care of yourself is an important thing you should not be embarrassed or ashamed of. It is totally fine to take care of your face, body, health, etc. Be it a routine facial, fitness freakiness, getting enough sleep, or doing things that make you happy, If self-care is essential for your well-being, we must do it. It is also something we should start normalizing in life.
Learning
Learning is a lifelong process; we don’t have to think it should just stop after formal education. The idea of lifelong learning is not a normal thing for many. Many of us want to restart learning, but we may not think of continuing that because of the thought that what others will think when they see us studying at this age. So, keep on learning; it will be completely normalized soon.
Making Mistakes
Making mistakes is a part of everyone’s life. No one is perfect, and we should start normalizing the idea that it is okay to make mistakes and learn from them. Learn from your mistakes and explore what is best for you.
Choice of Parenthood
Parenthood is a choice that is still not normalized in many societies. The choice of not having children is not acceptable for many people around us. There are many couples in our society who are happily choosing not to become parents. Nevertheless, a considerable percentage of couples face a challenge when it comes to convincing their parents and finding acceptance in society. Society continuously makes us feel that we are missing out on something really important in life. A few of my friends call me ‘lucky’ as I took the decision to not have children and did not give in to the family pressure. To escape from this family and societal pressure, we must start to normalize this choice of parenthood in life.
Failure
Failure is quite natural in life. Facing failures and losses is a natural part of life. It’s essential to learn from these disappointing situations and grow up with confidence. Failure is also an important thing we should start normalizing in life and accepting that failure is not something bad but an opportunity to learn and improve.
Inclusion of diversity
The world is diverse in nature. With different types of people, creeds, traits, places, cultures, languages, races, genders, and sexual orientations, the world is diverse in every aspect. Accepting that the world embraces these kinds of diversities irrespective of race, colour, gender, etc,. is essential. We should respect and promote everyone and start normalizing diversity and inclusion.
Kindness & Compassion
The world around you can be insensitive and unforgiving, but we can all make a difference by practising empathy and kindness. Normalizing acts of kindness and empathy, volunteering, helping others, and showing compassion are essential to helping generous people come along and support people in their needs. Supporting each other is crucial for a healthy, happy, and compassionate society.
Honest & Open communication
Open communication is the key to healthy and happy relationships. Whether it’s with family, friends, or colleagues, having honest conversations and open discussions can bridge the gap between your loved ones and increase engagement. Encourage open and honest communication, and start normalizing our eagerness to express our feelings and thoughts without fear of judgement or retaliation.
Asking for Help
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness but courage and strength. Society should start normalizing the idea of asking for support or help. It is okay to ask for help when you need it. Seeking help is not a sign of failure. If you feel like asking for help, seek it from where you expect to get it.
Personal Boundaries
Respecting personal boundaries is essential for maintaining healthy relationships. Setting personal boundaries doesn’t mean that you are unimportant in someone’s life. Everyone has different boundaries, and we should accept that. It is okay to say no to things that make us uneasy or uncomfortable.
Differences in body shapes/figures
Everyone’s body is not zero-sized, and not everyone’s skin looks Korean-flawless glass-like. It’s okay to have skin breakouts, chunky thighs, and stretch marks on your body. Your body or face does not have to look a certain way. It is not the main purpose of the human body. Everything that your body has is something that a human body can have. You don’t have to always love your body; I don’t believe in body positivity. But it is something to be accepted and normalized in life. Not just society, you also should start normalizing this to love yourself and move on.
Premarital Sex
You might have a different opinion about this. The question of whether premarital sex should be normalized today is subjective. When sex happens between two consenting adults, the perspective of others doesn’t matter. I think it’s a personal choice. Connecting with someone is a good feeling. We don’t have to judge someone for happening it before their marriage. If it helps to nurture a better relationship, it should be normalized.
Tail End
Life is a journey, and we all want to make it better for ourselves and those around us. The one crucial way to make this journey smooth is to normalize certain things and accept them as they are. Everyone has their own way of living their life. We should all be allowed to be ourselves and do what we like without fear of judgement. The list does not end here; by normalizing a lot of things, we can create a tolerant society that embraces individuality and diversity.
