Remember: Corporate merchandise is what makes you happy!
Smh if you’re “fitting in” when you don’t want to, then you’re part of the problem by maintaining the “normal” status quo.
Stand out if it makes you happy, you might convince others to do so as well
And if a backpack is part of your happiness in the first place, that’s a concern. Not “this backpack is pleasing”. But “I’m actually unhappy in my heart when I don’t have my special material goods”
I saw it as a metaphor for being able to express yourself and your likes visibly. Really, using a different item than a corporate mascot probably would have been a better choice too. But… I got it, in a way that made sense to me.
I do have some corporate things I enjoy… and even feel they have formed who I am from exposure. Still get flack about “when are you gonna grow out of that?”
I decided to get weird with my 40s, am I happier? No. But am I more comfortable in my own skin? Yes.
Imagine going outside where the public is.
