Basic-Smasic

By Adrianne Goodfriend

Opinions Contributor

When I was in third grade, I remember obsessing over North Face jackets. The size and design were negligible– as long as I could spot the popular logo, I was content. As all my friends began sporting the jackets, I could not help but feel a sense of isolation. I felt like an outcast and a loser because I couldn’t keep up with the trend. I mean, who wanted to be friends with the girl who wore the same old ugly skirt everyday, when they could be friends with the girl who owned the cool new North Face.

I begged my mom for months on end to buy me one; however, her answer was always no. She didn’t want to buy me a $100 jacket that she knew I would immediately ruin with melted Junior Mints in an AMC movie theatre (true story– it happened).

It wasn’t until a year later, on Christmas day, that I opened a present containing my first ever North Face jacket. Unfortunately, by that time in my life, the fad was over. No longer did popular kids don the jackets. Instead, there was a new trend: Bags with hot Abercrombie dudes and knowing weather Nick Jonas was dating Miley Cyrus or Selena Gomez.

My new jacket, Junior Mints and all, found its way to the back of my closet, where it still lies to this day.

I probably should have learned my lesson, but this pattern of conforming continued all throughout middle school. Then, when I got to high school, I learned about this little thing called originality.

I mean, who could miss it? All around the school there are posters with cheesy quotations: “Be yourself because everyone else is already taken.”  For those with bad internet connection, there are bathroom stall walls to read, which are full of inspirational Tumblr-like rants. Honestly, our school should be reported for the overwhelming amount of cheesiness.

With all this inspiration, I suddenly had an epiphany, but was it a truthful one? I decided to be as far from basic as possible.

I was so fixated on trying not to be basic that I ended up contradicting my previously conceived notion that striving to be cool was bad.

I found myself hating on mainstream trends and “basic bi&$#es.” I even mistakenly decided to quit watching Grey’s Anatomy, because I thought every teenage girl with a Netflix password was watching the show. (Quick side note, after reading this article go watch Grey’s. You’ll thank me.) This basicness was not to be tolerated.

At least that’s what I thought.

One day, I was talking to a friend, sharing our thoughts on the topic, when she said, “I really used to love bean boots, but then everyone started wearing them and now they’re gross.”

This comment got me thinking. Is there such a thing as being so “not basic” that you’re actually basic? (Shoutout to all you hipsters, because wearing a beanie during summer is just not rational).

I was so fixated on trying not to be basic that I ended up contradicting my previously conceived notion that striving to be cool was bad. Where I went wrong was when I decided that I needed to strive to be anything in the first place.

Why is it so wrong to drink pumpkin spice lattes in the fall, and dabbing when your jam comes on the radio (even if it is some downright awful country song)? If I love my bean boots, which are so practical and comfy for New England winters, then why should I stop wearing them?

I think it is time to redefine the meaning of basic.

The only way to be basic is when you’re not true to yourself. If your hobbies, activities, and clothes make you happy, then keep it up. Do the things you love, because life is short– sorry, more cheesiness, but it’s true.

Since I have started indulging in the things I love, everything is so much easier. It is inevitable that Newton South is and always will be stressful. However, choosing not to worry about the brands you’re wearing and the places you’re going relieves this stress immensely.

Now, if you’ll please excuse me, I am going to go Netflix and Chill with my bag of Doritos, and chances are we will definitely be watching Grey’s Anatomy.