The Pursuit of Identity

The Link Between Hobbies & Personal Style

I’ve become aware of a curious phenomenon: the extreme desire to be seen as a unique individual, yet defined by a singular word or trend (the office siren, the mob wife, BRAT, demure). It’s an inherent contradiction; you cannot claim individuality while basing your identity on a concept created by someone else. The very definition of these words makes this impossible: to be individualistic, you must first be defined, yet true individuality resists definition entirely.

Additionally, I feel as though we have idolized the visual representation of these aesthetics (the things we purchase in order to look a certain ‘type’) instead of actually internalizing what that type is, or if we even relate to it at all.

Personal identities are not obtained through collecting material possessions. They are created through passions, which are discovered through the pursuit of hobbies (at least then, you’ll know what you want to collect!) Our hobbies shape who we are— they influence our self-expression and in-turn, help us to create our personal style. When we engage in something that stimulates us, we often enter a state of flow. The flow state is an immersive experience where we lose track of time, and it acts as a conduit for shaping our style. When fully engaged in this space, our aesthetic preferences begin to form subconsciously, manifesting in how we present ourselves in the future. It cannot, simply, be bought.