Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Influence

Humans are social creatures. We pay attention to each other. As a result, we influence others and they influence us.

Our strongest influence is in childhood. Parents influence their children directly and often. Later, in school, peer-pressure persuades us to do uncharacteristic acts as we struggle to fit into the social environment.

In blogging, we watch others and get inspired by their fashion-choices. Our friends influence us and we, in turn, hopefully inspire them.

Who influences you? Fashionistically and otherwise? Do you believe you influence others? In what ways?

I wonder about this. Because I'm quite different and open about that, I wonder if my existence affects anyone. Does it?

20 comments:

  1. Oh, I think your existence influences quite many "silent readers". I know I have you in mind here and there and think of how brave and bold you are.
    Sometimes it helps me pick the cloth or accessory I would prefer to wear, but then changed my mind because it's not expected from me.

    So I think yes, we all are influenced by many people and objects.

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  2. So true. I think we create our image of "God" from our childhood impressions of our parents (for better or worse).

    I'm influenced by you and your openness and by many other bloggers who color outside the lines. xo

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  3. You are right. We are influenced by lots of things and people and events and places and all kinds of other things. People are definitely the strongest influence on me; I see what people do and what they believe and that makes me consider my own behaviour. Maybe not always consciously, but sometimes very obviously.

    You influence me Ally. You demonstrate to me that you should endeavour to be the person you want to be, the person you believe you are, and you do that by writing honestly and with feeling. Those wonderful traits are a good influence on me, they help me realise I should and can only be myself, even if I am not as stylish as you! x

    I genuinely hope that I am a good influence on others. I desperately want to show that life is all about the journey, and encourage others to live their lives fully and with happiness.

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    1. Thank you, Zoe. You inspire me to get out more and see the world. Your adventures are amazing!

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  4. Your existence definitely influences me! I've noticed that since we became friends, I'm more willing to try out different looks and break out of my mold. You're a definite role model for me in that sense, because you try anything and everything sartorially!

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    1. That's sweet. A bit comical ('cause I'm the last person anyone should take fashion advice from) but I get your point. We should all explore and experimenting is a path to growth.

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  5. I wanted to let you know you look just like your new Barbie in this picture!

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  6. You influence me by your goodness, kindness and wisdom! Plus, I think of you if I see a big fluffy prom dress!
    SO sad about the pom poms! I can't believe that your present was taken away from you! So sad.x

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    1. Thanks, Kezzie. Those are the qualities I'm most proud of. Everyone should have and develop them.

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  7. I think you have influenced me by your open kindness and big heart. I try to be a little kinder when I'm around you.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. How nice. I'm proud of having that influence on you.

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  8. I believe everything can be inspiring and influencing at one moment of time.
    As for you - you always inspire me to go pursue my dreams and remind that it is never too later and what others might think is none of my own business. If I see not very younger transgendered man who still can wear tutu if she wants to (that's you) so why can't I do whatever I want? - it is a very important moment.
    Plus you are so emotional, positive and open so I just can't help but try to be like you.

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    1. Thanks, my friend. Some people are able to resist my charms better than you. :-)

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  9. I have no idea Ally. Sometimes I notice I have influenced people. I suppose that is natural and happens all the time. Which is why it is important to be caring and empathetical (difficult word).
    Love you as a brunette, but loved you as a blond too.
    Greetje

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  10. I definitely find influence everywhere. As an artist, I steal everything I like, mash it together, and call it my own. So definitely I pick up on brands that other people wear, shapes, colors, hair styles, favored books, movies, or even just shared news.

    I always say despite my intense anxiety and introverted personality, I'm a people person at heart. I love their stories, I love learning about someone's life. It's the most interesting thing to me.

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  11. i see this with my kids....that everything i do influences them in a positive or negative way. everything their friends do influences them. so we must lead by example, and that is something i've experienced here as well...your openness, your honesty, your kindness, your generosity, and your passion are all great examples for the rest of us.

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  12. My brother pointed out that I dress like how I designed my fantasy video game characters when I was a child. That's basically it. I want to dress as my fantasy princess warrior dystopian punk fighter.

    And while I went online and tried making a style blog in the hopes of finding someone who dresses at all like me, what I found was a community of wonderful people who I carry in my thoughts and whose spirit, if not items of personal style I find in cadence with my own.

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    1. What an interesting personal response. Which accords with how you present yourself. Thank you, Aya, for sharing.

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  13. When you say your existence, I am assuming you mean as a blogger and not in general life...? 'Cause, I mean, duh!!! You don't really have to ask that, right?!

    My fashion inspiration comes from everywhere. Largely the people around me in our community, because just about everyone seems to have a great style that's all their own. Everywhere you go, as you know, someone is wearing something awesome and not giving a crap if anyone likes it or not. There's no standard as to what makes you fit in fashion-wise around here. The only criteria is be you and wear what you love. I'm very thankful for that. I pull from all these eclectic influences and mix them together in a way that feels like me.

    A lot of my inspiration comes from the show "Pretty Little Liars"! Even when the show itself would piss me off, I'd keep watching because the fashion is just THAT GOOD. These girls are living in fear in their everyday lives from people stalking their every move, and yet they still look amazing - priorities!!! Props to Mandi Line, the show's costume designer. She's incredible. (Someone left a nice comment when Kam & I dressed up as the PLL girls on our blog years ago, saying they were Mandi...I hope it really was!)

    As far as your blog specifically, you try things I'd never have thought of, and they SO WORK. It makes me want to be bolder in my choices and rock something a little out of my norm or try pairing certain colors together. It makes me more aware of things I hadn't noticed. And, besides that, it's fun and incredibly rewarding seeing you spread your wings. <3

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