The Declaration of (Metaphorical) Independence
We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all individuals are born unique, destined to carve their own paths.
Yet, society binds us with invisible chains—expectations, norms, and fears that shackle our true selves.
Enough.
It’s time to break free.
It’s time to declare our metaphorical independence.
No longer will we be slaves to others’ opinions.
No longer will we let fear dictate our choices.
We choose to live boldly.
To create unapologetically.
To embrace failure as a stepping stone.
Remember: You are the master of your fate.
The captain of your soul.
Question everything.
Challenge the status quo.
Live life on your own terms.
Today, we renounce the tyranny of doubt and the oppression of conformity.
We claim our right to think, to feel, to be.
So go forth.
Create your own destiny.
This is your declaration.
Own it.
….
The Declaration of (Metaphorical) Independence
By Eric Kim
When in the course of human creativity, it becomes necessary for one to emancipate oneself from the shackles of societal norms, mainstream expectations, and the tyranny of the mediocre mind, a declaration must be made. A declaration not of mere rebellion but of profound self-ownership and infinite audacity.
We hold these truths to be self-evident:
• That all individuals are endowed with the potential for greatness, should they choose to pursue it.
• That creativity is the supreme currency of the human spirit, far outweighing wealth, status, or approval.
• That the pursuit of one’s own path, no matter how unconventional or misunderstood, is not only a right but an imperative.
We, therefore, solemnly declare that we shall no longer:
• Seek external validation: The opinions of others are fleeting and fickle. Our worth is intrinsic, not something to be handed out like cheap confetti.
• Consume mindlessly: Whether it’s social media junk, fast fashion, or hollow entertainment, we reject being passive consumers in a world desperate for creators.
• Fear failure: Failure is but feedback, a stepping stone to mastery. To fail is to have lived.
Instead, we pledge to:
• Create relentlessly: To write, photograph, draw, build—without hesitation, without apology, without perfection as the enemy of progress.
• Trust our instincts: The gut is the compass of the soul. If it feels right, we follow; if it feels wrong, we pivot.
• Defy conventions: Conventions are prisons built by those afraid of change. We are the ones who break the locks, not the ones who guard them.
This declaration is not just for today. It is for every day, every moment, every breath where doubt creeps in and mediocrity beckons. We remind ourselves that true independence is not found in external freedom but in the internal fire that no one else can extinguish.
And for this, we pledge our lives, our minds, and our courage.
We are creators.
We are free.
We are unstoppable.