p o s h y

F L I G H T Y
It is of course the unfavorable side of the coin whose other side is "free spirit." And, if I had a coin for every time someone has labeled me as such, I would be typing this from Italy.

Quite honesty, I hate labels; especially this one. And flighty? Gag.

Now, I could be wrong, but usually "free-spirit" is a politically correct way of telling someone that 'they have no plan.'

I began to wonder what a free spirit is, exactly. I know the stereotype in the movies. The free spirit character will chat about anything and everything, charming some people and irritating others, but everyone still thinks that he/she is "fun." The free spirit serves equally as the antagonist or the protagonist. As a protagonist, they inject humor, good feelings, fun, and excitement to the plot. As the antagonist, they are the person who makes everything go wrong for the hero/heroine. So, I turned to the internet to help me out.

Apparently, a free spirit is someone who is not restrained, for instance by convention or obligation; someone who has a highly individual or unique attitude, lifestyle, or imagination; or someone who acts freely or even irresponsibly (cringe). All the definitions agree on one synonym to describe a free spirit: nonconformist.

For now, I'm going to focus on the positive aspects of the archetype, and, if the impractical shoe fits...

quirky
talkative
up beat
eccentric
goes with the flow
open to new experiences
creative
unpredictable (could go either way)
individual

Here’s my definition of what it means to be a free spirit: (look at me refusing to conform to the traditional definition!)

A free spirit:

thinks for himself, observing and collecting in order to form his own opinions
does what she thinks is right, not what everyone else tells her is right
puts a high value on free choice
cares about getting to know both himself and the world around him
isn’t generally swayed by arguments of what one is “supposed” to do
tends to avoid, ignore, or become upset by people who are judgmental or controlling
has the courage to test life’s boundaries and limits
tries things that other people think are impossible, unimportant, or impractical
often has her own unique vision of life and the world

They aren’t inherently flighty or irresponsible or train wrecks on wheels. Free spirits can be any of these things, just like everyone else, but they don’t have to be. I suspect there are those to whom free spiritedness comes easy, and those for whom it’s very difficult. Like everything else, they come in all shapes and sizes. There are noisy free spirits and quiet free spirits, extroverts and introverts and ambiverts, free spirits who engage in risqué behavior and those who think risqué is passé. Some are stubborn while others are fickle, some are dedicated while others drift from thing to thing. They can be challenging, yes, and difficult to understand, but they love life with a passion that makes it all seem worthwhile.

Whatever the shortcomings, they make the world a more interesting place. They are agents of change and opponents of commonplace.

Maybe I am... But for now, just label me Nicole.