Overtones
The Individual Against Society
Published: 9/21/2022
By: Kareem Elegusain
[Close your eyes. Imagine stillness as you arrive home to an empty house. You pause and take it all in.]
All day you’ve had the itch to play a specific song, but you’ve been waiting to listen in your private oasis. You take a few steps through the front door and towards your living room; a few more steps, and you arrive at a vinyl collection. Half-crouched, you begin flipping through LPs before finding the one, slowly pulling out the 180-gram vinyl from its sleeve. After gently placing the record on the slip-mat, you take a deep breath as you reach for the tonearm and lay the needle down on the record. A few crackles break the silence as the album sets into the groove. Soft crescendos of sound usher in the song you’ve been anticipating hearing all day. You exhale and feel the weight of eight straight days of work end. Inside the drawer beneath your desk, you pull out a piece of creme-colored speckle tone paper and place it softly into a typewriter. As the first few letters hit the page, the sound of the keys’ hammering sets the rhythm, and you are on your way into the endless night...of fresh Inspo.
In minor ways, we differ. But, in major ways, we’re the same. Despite our differences, we all do similar things to improve our style of living. I find the nuances of our habits to be what fuels our inspirations. all while providing opportunities to express our “style.”
The American poet Charles Bukowski put this idea of style into words that I believe best define it.
“Style is the answer to everything. A fresh way to approach a dull or dangerous thing. To do a dull thing with style is preferable to doing a dangerous thing without it. To do a dangerous thing with style is what I call art… Boxing can be an art. Loving can be an art. Opening a can of sardines can be an art… Not many have style. Not many can keep style… style is the difference, a way of doing, a way of being done.”
For me, style encompasses a variety of attributes. First, it is in the minute details of our daily lives. But, it is also in our techniques. Our style allows us to share content in a way that suits the individual. It shows up in the nuances we cling to and obsess over. Finally, it is one of the best ways to communicate who you are.
One medium of expression I turn to is poetry. I believe this type of literature allows a writer to communicate a very eclectic range of messages to the reader. Poetry can unlock doors to broaden our understanding. It teaches us more about ourselves by providing an outside observation of cultures and communities. The lens of poetry has led me to better understand how I communicate with my surroundings and receive information. If I had to distill how I express myself, I would describe it as “poetic.” It’s in my mannerisms, how I dress, what I listen to, and how I listen to it. It’s my patience and self-control.
I think it is better to approach new mediums with an open mind without judging if it fits your style. Instead, one should dive into the principles of what sparked the interest. And if you continue the pursuit, an authentic style will flourish. Imposing a style filter first will most likely lead to creating insincere work. This mistake is a surefire way to sabotage and shorten your self-expression in that medium.
Quality things should not fear time, so explore mediums you are passionate about without a deadline. Take notice of what you do differently. Always remember style is your way of doing everything.
“Real style isn’t an expression of wealth or even taste, but a manifestation of the soul.”
– Michele Lamy
Context
Thoughts
– What encourages you to find beauty in life?
– How do you differ from the heard?
– Is style important to you? Why?
