by Salvatore Oliva

Created on: September 09, 2007

An unconventional or alternative lifestyle for me is a matter of choice given certain circumstances or experiences in my life. I choose to live a non-mainstream lifestyle, but I think there are many levels to this for each and every one of us who do.

Anything I do behind closed doors does not constitute an unconventional lifestyle. That to me is privacy. I think how I lead my life in public really defines my unconventional lifestyle. For some it is sexual, religious, political or entertainment preference. For others, it is simply going against the grain or questioning the norm.

I think questioning the norm allows my mind to open and experiment with the alternative, but at the same time I do not want to become extreme in anything I do. I think extremism in anything is not only unhealthy for me, but also others around me. For me, my unconventional lifestyle allows me to open my mind enough; so that my brains do not fall out, but at the same time, not place my feet firmly on the ground, so that I cannot move.

I also think it depends on who I chose to associate with. Some friends or acquaintances think I live an unconventional lifestyle, whereas others feel I do not. I enjoy seeing something enter the mainstream and conventional system two or three years after it has been an integral part of my lifestyle. This is a signifier that I lead an unconventional lifestyle on a given level.

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