Thinking for Yourself is a Flex

I know it feels like you have to pick a 'team' for everything these days. Whether it’s aesthetics, politics, or even what kind of milk you put in your coffee, everything is coded as an identity. But here’s a secret: you don't have to belong to a group to have a soul. In fact, the more you let your 'team' do your thinking for you, the less of 'you' there actually is. Critical thinking is the only way to make sure your thoughts are actually yours and not just a subscription service you forgot to cancel.

Groupthink is a hell of a drug. It feels safe to be part of the crowd. When you repeat the slogans and wear the right labels, you get that sense of belonging we all crave. But that safety comes at a price. It costs you your perspective. You start ignoring the flaws in your own circle and exaggerating the flaws in everyone else’s. That’s how polarization works—it turns people into caricatures. It makes you forget that the 'other side' is made up of individuals, not just a faceless mass of enemies.

Being a 'free agent' in your own mind is the ultimate flex. It means you can agree with one person on one topic and completely disagree with them on another without it being a crisis. It means you can change your mind when new evidence shows up without feeling like a traitor. That’s what real maturity looks like. It’s not about being loud; it’s about being consistent with your own values, even when they don't align perfectly with a political party or a social movement.

So, take a beat. Look at the things you feel most strongly about. Ask yourself: did I come to this conclusion because I researched it, or because everyone I like also believes it? It’s a hard question to answer honestly, but it’s the most important one you’ll ever ask. Be brave enough to be an individual. It’s lonely sometimes, sure, but the view is much clearer from outside the pack. You owe it to yourself to be the person who thinks, not just the person who reacts.