In a world that thrives on individuality, it’s ironic how often we find ourselves conforming to societal norms that suggest certain things are meant for everyone. From fashion trends to career choices, there seems to be an unspoken assumption that what’s popular should seamlessly fit into the lives of every individual.
Someone asked, “What is not for everyone, but society acts like it is?” Thousands of users shared their opinions, and we have hand-picked the top comments for you.
1. Hustle Culture
You’ve heard it a million times – “Hustle or be left in the dust!”
A discerning Reddit user commented, “Hustle/grind/climb the corporate ladder culture. I just want to do what I’m good at and enjoy my life, not kill myself getting to the top.”
Someone else added, “ZE ROOOO percent interest in that. They almost always fail. You have to be your marketing, sales, engineering, customer service, etc.”
2. Being a Manager
Ah, the corner office dream! Society loves to paint the picture that everyone should be eyeing that manager title.
One Redditor stated, “My dad used to berate me about this all the time when I was growing up. “You’re never gonna be a manager with that attitude!” Dude, what makes you think I want to be?”
Another responded, “Being a manager sucks. Source? Was a manager.”
3. Entrepreneurship
Start your own business, they say. Be your own boss, they say. But hey, not everyone is born to be the captain of the ship.
A Reddit user wrote, “The idea that everyone should start their own business and be their own boss. Not everyone can/should/wants to…”
Someone else added, “Instead of saying “Yeah, society has problems, and we should think hard about them and address them,” too many people say “Oh, just start your own business!” as if that’s universally possible, and as if that would come close to working out if everyone tried it.”
4. Social Media
Scroll, like, share, repeat. Society makes it seem like we should all be hooked to social media 24/7. But hold up – not everyone wants to live their life in filters and hashtags.
A discerning Reddit user commented, “Social Media. Imagine being a 6th grader and having people think you’re weird if you don’t have an Instagram.”
Someone else replied, “Wrecked our interpersonal skills. Ruined relationships. Perpetuated bullying into cyberspace when it used to end at the school day. Cemented embarrassment if you get recorded. The list goes on.”
5. Parents
One Redditor stated, “Being a parent. I worked for the State’s attorney in the Neglect Division, and I swear, you should need a test before you can become a parent.”
Another person agreed to it and said, “I studied child psychology, and I completely agree. And there should be mandatory parenting classes provided by the government. People don’t even know about a child’s milestones.”
Diapers, sleepless nights, and the constant worry – not everyone’s idea of a good time.
6. Drinking
A Reddit user wrote, “Alcohol – some people can’t fathom that others can’t be tempted to drink it or choose a sober lifestyle after a bad experience.”
Someone else added, “Every time someone tries to pressure me, I want to launch into a detailed story of my experience with alcoholic family members just to make them uncomfortable.”
Newsflash: it’s okay to be the designated driver or just enjoy a chill night just by yourself!
7. Sleep Schedule
A discerning Reddit user commented, “Waking up every day early in the morning.”
Someone else replied, “I recently started reading about sleep, and how there are 3 categories of the body’s preferred sleep cycle and a huge majority of the population actually aren’t designed for the kind of life we are forced into by modern standards.”
But guess what? Not everyone’s a chirpy bird at the crack of dawn.
8. Smart Phones
Can we talk about this 24/7 smartphone love affair society’s got going on?
One Redditor stated, “I was in my 50’s when my son gave me his old smartphone. He couldn’t understand how I could leave the house without it. I kept telling him I’d gone this long without one. I couldn’t see the need to have a phone all the time.”
Another person agreed to it and said, “I’m 23 and recently got into vinyl (my grandma gifted me her old record player), and my boyfriend can’t comprehend why I’d want to listen to records when I have Spotify/my phone. It’s just nice not to have to focus on a cell phone all time time.”
9. Success
A Reddit user wrote, “”Sucess” in our modern way of thinking about it. Not everyone wants or can handle being extremely wealthy, famous, or powerful. Some of us just want our slice of a good life and live it.”
Someone else added, “Have you noticed how people who subscribe to this “standard success” thing are so aggressive about it? Like, they ask, “What’s your excuse?” for not having the things they think are everyone’s obligation to have or to die trying to have. Chill, my dude.”
Some people find fulfillment in a simple life, chasing passions rather than promotions.
10. A Degree
A discerning Reddit user commented, “My dad said to get a degree in something with nuclear energy so I can at least sound interesting when I’m applying for Burger King.”
Someone else replied, “I don’t know about society at large, but the media sure acts like it. I swear, in almost every show and movie ever it’s assumed the entire cast went to college.”
What are your opinions on getting a college degree for the sake of society?
11. Work Routine
One Redditor stated, “Working the same job/career for 40+ years, or just working a 9-5.”
Another responded, “I loved the years of retail and service work I did before because I did NOT. It is just pure existential dread and feeling chronically unfulfilled, but I don’t really see another financially viable option.”
But let us tell you, not everyone’s got a sweet tooth for this work routine.
12. Crop Tops
A Reddit user wrote, “Crop tops. Some of us still want the whole entire shirt!”
Someone else added, “Yes! Omg WHYYYYY, are we having crop tops for the kids?! On 2 recent occasions, I bought my girl’s cute outfits (top/bottom sets), and it’s a crop top!”
Crop tops might be cute, but so are oversized tees. Wear what makes you feel good, not what society says is in style.
13. Being Extroverted
The world loves a party animal, right? But hold your horses – not everyone is extroverted in nature.
A discerning Reddit user commented, “Being extroverted and constantly craving social interactions.”
Another responded, “This. I love being at HOME. I love my small circle of close relationships – those are the people that can be recharging for me.”
14. Kids
One Redditor stated, “Having children.”
Someone else replied, “I’m a woman who has never had that “motherly urge,” and I never plan on having kids. People don’t seem to understand that can happen. It’s always “you’ll change your mind once you find the right person.””
The pressure to procreate can be intense, but it’s okay to choose a different storyline.
15. Sports
The stadium cheers, the team jerseys, the whole sports mania – society acts like we should all be interested in sports.
A Reddit user wrote, “Interest in sports.”
Someone else added, “ESPN created access to so many sports. Then, put talking heads together to shout louder to earn points. Then we stopped watching or became obsessed. I chose to stop.”
16. Early Birds
One said, “The whole “early bird gets the worm” mentality. Society tends to glorify being a morning person and waking up at the crack of dawn, but not everyone’s wired that way.”
Another person agreed to it and said, “Some of us are night owls who do our best work after midnight. So, let’s remember that not everyone thrives on the same schedule, and it’s okay to be a night-loving creature in a world that often praises the early risers. After all, owls are pretty cool, too!”
It’s okay to hit snooze and embrace the midnight snack vibes.
17. Marriage
A discerning Reddit user commented, “I used to believe that Marriage was a societal invention that really did not serve an important purpose. I decided at one point that I never wanted to get married. My views have evolved on this as I have aged.”
Someone else replied, “Add any kind of relationship to that. I’m so sick of people asking if I’m married or dating me proudly saying, ”Single for life!” And them giving me looks of pity comfort and saying, “Don’t worry, you’ll meet them one day.””
It’s okay to enjoy a single life without feeling bad about it!
18. Having a Dog
One Redditor stated, “Dog ownership.”
Someone else added, “I agree. I’d love to have a dog, but I’m a childless bachelor who lives in a second-floor apartment. I don’t have the time or space to properly take care of a dog. It wouldn’t be fair to the dog if I got one.”
Do you think everyone should own a dog because it is the norm?
19. Small Talk
A Reddit user wrote, “Small talk. I wish I knew how. I’m just so awkward and shy. I become less introverted once I get to know you, but limited interaction is just the worst for me.”
Another person agreed to it and said, “Small talk is just silly to most people cause most people are just following patterns and don’t realize why the pattern began in the first place. But at its heart, it’s about finding people you can be open with.”
It’s perfectly fine to skip the weather updates and dive straight into the good stuff.
20. Driving
A discerning Reddit user commented, “I’m 35 and have never driven in my life, and it bothers everyone around me way more than it’s ever bothered me.”
Someone else added, “My anxiety is always up whenever I’m behind the wheel, especially since any mistake/accident I make would be costly and/or life-threatening.”
But let’s face it – not everyone enjoys the stress of traffic or finding the perfect parking spot. It’s okay to let someone else take the wheel while you enjoy the scenery.
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