Unique Does Not Describe You

Posted by: gretchen on January 30, 2007 |

The word “unique” appears to be overused these days. I hear it all the time in the media and I read it at least 10 times a day. Marketers use it frequently in commercials, print media and the Internet. In fact, I’m listening to the radio right now and there is a commercial playing for a sports bar that offers a “unique” menu.   Even I am guilty of using it on my website and in my shop.   Surely we can do better than that.   8-|

If you want to get a strong dose of the word, tune in to American Idol some evening during the start of a new season. Just about every single contestant will describe themself as being “unique”. This ranks right up there with the other points in How NOT to pass an American Idol Audition. When a contestant says “I am unique,” I just wish Simon would say “Well, duh.” Everyone is unique. Even twins and other multiple birth siblings are unique as individuals. Unique is just not a very descriptive word. To me, you might as well have walked into the room and announced you are human. Another “Duh”. Thanks for stating the obvious, Einstein. =D>

Unique does not describe you, it describes everyone. Take the restaurant commercial I mentioned as having a “unique menu”. Does that really tell me anything? What are they serving? What if it is Chinese food and I don’t like Chinese food? How do I know what a “unique menu” is? They might as well have said “we serve food”. Duh. /:)

Declaring you are “unique” doesn’t tell us anything about you as an individual person. It gives absolutely no mental image whatsoever of who you are and what kinds of things you like to do. If you want to really stand out in the world (or at an American Idol Audition), put a little kick into your declaration. Try out some new words - words that more accurately tell us about who you are and what you represent. How about daring, brilliant, adventurous, passionate, imaginative, creative or faithful? Find some words that not everyone can claim. Everyone can say they are “unique,” but not everyone can confess to be “daring” or “adventurous.” ;)

I absolutely love this quote by Marianne Williamson:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you NOT to be?”

Can you imagine how dull and boring it would be if she had just said “who am I to be unique?” The mental picture is just not the same, is it? [-(

14 Responses to “Unique Does Not Describe You”

Pages: [1] 2 » Show All

  1. 1. Rita Says:
    January 30th, 2007 at 2:01 pm

    great gretchan! really!

    I loved it.

  2. 2. Kel1 Says:
    January 31st, 2007 at 11:42 pm

    Well, I’d have to describe myself as….oh, I don’t know…unique? =))

    Okay. You don’t even wanna KNOW how I’d describe myself, so I will refrain from doing so. :P

  3. 3. gretchen Says:
    February 1st, 2007 at 7:19 am

    Did you miss your therapy session this week? /:)

  4. 4. Kel1 Says:
    February 1st, 2007 at 11:58 pm

    Why, yes! How ever did you know? :D

  5. 5. gretchen Says:
    February 2nd, 2007 at 12:50 pm

    Sorry about that - I’m gonna have to charge ya $50 anyway. ;)

  6. 6. CyberCelt Says:
    February 4th, 2007 at 12:59 am

    Well, I do not know about you, but I am “sPeCiaL.” It was a term that the church lady on Saturday Night Live would say, “Well, isn’t that special?”

    Here from BC Carnival.

  7. 7. Karmyn R Says:
    February 4th, 2007 at 11:04 am

    Another thing to teach my kids - describe WHO you are, not what you are.

  8. 8. Gattina Says:
    February 4th, 2007 at 11:35 am

    I am lucky, I don’t have these troubles, in my languages is nothing “unique” we never use this word. What we use all the time is “super” in German and in French. Everything is “super” a restaurant, a movie, a house, a girl a boy etc.
    But I am unique (lol !)

    from BC carnival

  9. 9. gretchen Says:
    February 4th, 2007 at 3:32 pm

    Thanks for the comments! Welcome to Girls Can’t WHAT? :)>-

  10. 10. Anna Venger Says:
    February 4th, 2007 at 4:56 pm

    Reminds me of how I would tell my children, “You’re special…..just like everyone else.” And they would laugh.

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