Tired of trying to keep up with trends you don't even like? Tired of being just another sheep in the crowd? If you conform exactly to the following list of rules you will be well on your way to becoming a non-conformist. Tweak them to form your own innate persona.

• Steps

1. Stop caring what people think. Even if it takes conscious effort at first, it gets easier over time.This is the base and foundation of nonconformity.

2. State it. Tell any people who hover around you trying to get you to change to back off. Alternatively, go sit by someone who accepts you as you are, or who doesn't care one way or the other.

3. Lose the drama. Do not overreact or tersely call out words; it tends to aggravate those around you.

4. When shopping, ignore everything you've learned about fashion, what's emo, what's goth, etc. Everything. When you see a shirt you like, decide why you like it. Is it because you truly like it, or because you saw a magazine feature it? Decide if you're OK with the answer. If you are, buy it; if not, move on. Nonconformity isn't about wearing clashing clothes, it's about wearing whatever you like.

5. Do what you want to do, when you want. If you want to do cartwheels in the hallway at school, so be it. Just be prepared to face the consequences.

6. Be aware that other people have different ideas. Do not try to force them to not conform also; this is fascism and is wrong (it's also making them conform to nonconformity!). However, showing or explaining to people how they're conforming to cultural standards in ways they may not even realize, or being an example of a different way of living may help convince them to change on their own. Windskating to school or work instead of driving, for example, may well aggravate some people but will inspire others to think differently.

7. Know your boundaries. Everyone has limits.

8. Do simple, crazy things like Stargirl, from Jerry Spinelli's book. Dance in the rain. Play a ukulele at lunch and sing Happy Birthday to birthday people. Have a pet rat or even a pet rock. Dress in a 1920s flapper dress. Do things that make you truly unique!

9. Experiment. Learn who you are, what you like and dislike. Many people will assert their standards, opinions, and ideals. Think for yourself and choose the ones that seem right to you.

10. Try a contrarian approach. Ask why everybody does or thinks one way, and try doing or thinking the opposite way, if it has any merits. You are bound to find out that some of your experiments don't work; that's OK as long as you survived them; try something else next time!

11. Be natural, not contrived: Consider that following this advice may not fit you. It puts you on some one else's plan. By conforming to the plan, you are molding yourself into a pattern (Does it fit you?).

• Tips

• Don't let people tell you what to do, even this list. If you disagree with anything on here, don't do it. Why should you?

• Remember to be yourself, don't go on this list like a bible,you are your own person.

• Even nonconformists have fun. We just don't follow the rules everyone else makes up!

• Try to find people who will still like you, regardless of what you have become. These may be friends that you've known for awhile or people you meet who see the world as you do, or at least accept your views. And find new friends, people who are nonconformists as well!

• Remember that change is a good thing, but it is OK to pull out if it doesn't feel right to you.

• Reading the book Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli would give you a good example of a nonconformist. It talks about the pros and cons of nonconformity.

• Nonconformity can be much more than fashion. In fact, actions speak louder than words or clothes. See whether being different on your own terms can also mean making a difference.

• Nonconformity does not necessarily mean rejecting rules or ideals just for the sake of it, nor does it mean being pushy about your own notions. It just means doing your own thing for your own reasons.

• Just because you are a nonconformist doesn't mean you no longer have to follow the rules because you are in your own zen world and don't care about what people think about you. Don't do stupid things because you are now a 'nonconformist'. Non-conformism is about being yourself, not being in jail. You might find that there are parts of the world with fewer "rules" or, at least, less enforcement of them, where you can be yourself with less harassment: a phenomenon referred to as a "TAZ", or Temporary Autonomous Zone, by the nonconformist author Hakim Bey.

• Enjoy irony.

• Wish People Happy Birthday a day later then "The Masses".

• Remember these two rules from Harpo Marx:

• "If things get too much for you and you feel the whole's world's against you, go stand on your head. If you can think of anything crazier to do, do it."

• "Don't worry about what other people think. The only person in the world important enough to conform to is yourself."

• Just remember this: nonconformity is "not about" not conforming just because it seems cool -- or you want to seem different in public, but not privately. Just be real, and don't follow this guide as a key. There really shouldn't be a guide like this, or else people will conform to it! Be yourself, and that's all you need to do. Don't bother doing a bunch of unnecessary stuff just because you're told in that fad or by faddish friends (who are just seeking to be noticed). Do it because "you want to" -- but if you don't really, then that's fantastic! Rock on!

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  Warnings

• People may start to call you a conformist anyway (to every new fad), or a poser. If you have genuinely stopped caring what they think of your ways, these people should not worry you.

• Friends may not like you any more. But, if they are truly your friends, after some time, they may see that (despite your changes) you're still you, and you may find the friendship to be even stronger. Or, you may be drifting too far, intellectually and spiritually, for them to keep-up just now, and somewhere down the road you may rekindle the friendship. Either way, you can find friends at every level of your growth; don't let your current friendships hold you back.

• In all fairness, it doesn't matter what rules you follow or don't, as nonconformity is about following your own rules. Just be sure to think for yourself, do what you think is right, and never forget to always accept what others do even though you may think they are wrong.

• Activities that are likely to result in arrest or severe injury (public indecency, theft, drug use, setting fires) are only for very experienced nonconformists. Don't start with these; better yet, don't do them at all.

• Being a nonconformist is generally about not following what everyone else does simply in order to "fit in." And fitting in has nothing to do with being yourself. Instead it has everything to do with what ever group you may try to be a part of or find yourself in the middle of, dictating what is acceptable and what is not. Non conformity at it's best is about doing what is best for yourself no matter what other people think and forging your your own path.

• Being non-conformist does not automatically mean you cannot do activities that are popular. You can do it as long as you are are doing it for your enjoyment and what you can get out of it, not just for "showing off" or "being in".

• People who choose to be conformists are not criminals. They are only giving in to and acting out a different kind of social pressure.

• Being a non conformist is also about knowing your own personal boundaries as this is the one of the biggest navigational tools you will ever use in forging your own path. As a non conformist you have to be smart enough and clear enough within yourself to use this tool well. You do not have to accept everything that everyone else does or says as this leads to passivity (a living death)!

• Sometimes the thing that will illuminate your individual path the most is disagreeing with what others say or do.

• Being a nonconformist does not justify being rude or impolite toward people.

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