How to be a Successful NGU (Non-Grown Up) Part II: Never Follow Rules.

No Such Thing as Grown Ups Manifesto

This is an immediate callback to Part I-Always Question Authority, but we feel that it’s important to reiterate that rules are a form of applied authority that should also be questioned extensively, but really why even follow rules?

Rules you should never follow:

Rules on Bulletin Boards

Laws (That don’t apply to hurting people, OBVIOUSLY!!!)

Decrees by Queens or Princes

Guidelines

Etiquette

Rules that are on signs

Rules that are written anywhere…

What? But if I don’t follow the rules, I’ll get in trouble! Exactly! That’s what pretend grown ups want you to believe! Now I want you to stay safe and not to harm others, but other than that, be free of rules. You will not get into trouble, or at least never as much trouble as you think, and the reality is saying you’re sorry is a powerful solution.

Well why are there rules anyways? Why would all these rules be made if it weren’t for our own good? Fear. Rules are only stories. They tell the story of something that happened to the rule maker. Keep off the grass is a story of an unappreciated gardener, the tale of the lady who sat in wet paint on her way to a job interview. It’s usually something scary enough that they make a rule up about it, like Do not use lunchroom Trays as Sleds! Is a rule from high school to keep people from stealing lunchroom trays and then sledding down the snowy hills… on their butts. Getting Butts! all over the food tray! Maybe the rule was about breaking your arm or face on school property and insurance premiums and what not. But everyone’s experience is not the same, and if I leave the 3-hole-punch-paper in the photocopier, I say it’s your fault for not checking before you print…ahem…so where was I?

You’ll never get thanked for following the rules. And honestly it will drive you crazy when you do follow rules and others don’t. The only upside I see is a feeling of superiority. If you are always following the rules you may feel free to point out the failings in people around you, but eventually this will just lead to bitter negativity, so just join us and stop following rules, forget about it, and do what you like!Hüpfburgen

Think before you Leap. That’s all. If you follow enough rules they start to contradict themselves. Trust me! There only exists actions & consequences. Educate yourself on the consequences and make and educated decision, instead of following because it’s written on cardstock. Make your own decisions, you can do it! The real reason for rules is to prevent you from learning on your own. I think about rules in art, rules in religion, rules in business and I just have to ask Why? Why? So many Whys? But then I just learn & do what I want and forget about all that. Sorry 😉 See it works!

It can be easy to not follow rules Just Follow these 3 simple Rules:

I Find rules and stare them down like they stole your ice cream…

2 Prove them wrong and get your ice cream back!

3 Do what you feel is right because you aren’t a moron. (*if you are a moron see #4*).

4Follow all rules, always.