Louise Logarta
Are you someone who tends to take the path less beaten? Do you make decisions that others usually don’t?
Do you challenge authority and break away from others’ expectations of you?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you just might be a rebel who doesn’t care what other people think.
Pretty much like Harrison Ford’s Han Solo. This smuggler and captain of the Millennium Falcon helped in the fight against the Galactic Empire – he was literally part of the Rebel Alliance.
Or real-life character Oskar Schindler, the German businessman who saved the lives of over a thousand Jews during the Nazi regime.
There are many other examples of rebels, both fictional and real-life, but they all have one thing in common: they have something to fight for.
Does that sound like you? If you’re wondering, here are 15 signs you’re a rebel yourself!
1) You stand out in the crowd
One of the telltale signs you’re a rebel who doesn’t care what other people think is when you set yourself apart. You go against the grain; you like to be unique.
You think differently, your choices don’t always fit the mold, and you don’t always follow the rules.
And because you don’t want to live within the usual, you live your life outside the metaphorical box. This might mean you sometimes have unpopular opinions (although in some cases this isn’t necessarily a good thing).
2) Other people’s opinions don’t bother you
For you, what other people think is irrelevant. As a rebel, you tend to stand out in the crowd–and because you do, you don’t really put much stock in what other people think of you.
Others may find you confident in how you speak and act, but it’s mostly because you are sure of yourself.
But because of this confidence, you might also pose a threat to figures of authority at times.
Whether or not it is your intention, they might think of you as a “dangerous” person because you might be more inclined to question the status quo.
It’s not all bad, though. Your ability to inspire is one of the signs you’re a rebel who doesn’t care what other people think.
Take Gandhi, Rosa Parks, or Martin Luther King, Jr.: They may be considered rebels for launching movements that genuinely changed the world.
3) You have a strong sense of individuality
You have a solid consciousness of who you are, who you want to be, and what you want the world you live in to look like.
You value this distinct self-awareness because it guides your actions. It’s also perhaps why you may not be content in living the same life as others.
This is yet another sign of being a rebel who doesn’t care what other people think.
4) Being in a relationship isn’t a requirement for you
As a rebel, you don’t like being told what to do.
When your partner doesn’t do things you expect of them in a relationship, it can cause some strain. That’s definitely not a good thing—but it’s not all bad.
The thing is, with rebels, what you see is what you get.
If you’re a rebel, you likely don’t feel the need to meet others’ expectations, which could encourage your partner to experience the same kind of freedom too. This is especially true for those who have had to look for external validation all their life.
Despite the potential issues that come with being a rebel who doesn’t care what others think, it really comes down to how hard you and your partner work to be together.
5) You don’t do well with orders
As we established in the previous point, rebels don’t like being ordered around or being told what they can or can’t do. If you chafe at authority, that’s one of the signs you’re a rebel who doesn’t care what other people think.
Gretchen Rubin, the author of The Happiness Project, describes rebels as people who resist expectations, not just those set by society—but even expectations they have of themselves.
If you’re a rebel, you might find it hard to tell yourself to do something, even if it’s something for your own benefit. This resistance to expectations may also be because rebels are usually motivated by their present desire.
As Rubin puts it: “They want to do what they want to do—at all times.”
This resistance could swing both ways. If outright told to do something, they would most likely do the opposite. But if asked to find an unusual or unconventional solution to a situation, they’d jump at the chance.
Sure, this can become a frustrating problem if it gets out of hand. If you’re a rebel, Rubin suggests focusing on reasons why you would want to do a certain task.
For instance, one task that people get really lazy to do at times is brushing their teeth. If you’re a rebel and you don’t feel like doing it, you just won’t. Never mind if your mom nags you about it; that just makes you want to do it less.
Instead, think about what’s in it for you. Think things like, “I like the minty fresh feeling in my mouth after I brush” or “I want my breath to smell good especially when I’m talking to someone”.
It’s all a matter of perspective.
6) You’re not afraid of questioning the system
Suffragette Emily Davison, scientist Galileo Galilei, and civil rights champion Rosa Parks are just some of the rebels known throughout the world.
You know their names for a reason. Think about how the rebels of history believed things could be different, that tomorrow would be better.
And because they had courage to speak out—and more importantly, act—on it, the face of the world has changed far more than anyone ever thought it could.
As former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi said: “Rebels and non-conformists are often pioneers and designers of change.”
So, one of the signs you’re a rebel who doesn’t care what other people think is not always saying yes to the “accepted” way of doing something.
Being a rebel means always asking yourself “What if”, and seeking alternatives to conventional ways to accomplish a goal.
7) You consider yourself a part of something bigger
Among the hallmarks of being a rebel is having a cause.
Whether in movies or real life, rebels are always depicted as underdogs, who have no real army to stand alongside or no powerful backer. Instead, they depend on volunteers and supporters.
There is no one proven cause for why rebels exist, but one theory is that rebels feel that they are deprived of something that they need—these could be fair wages, status within society, or even a say in political affairs.
In the 1800s, Native American war chief Crazy Horse of the Oglala Lakota, led the fight against the US government, which he believed abused Native Americans’ way of life and took their territories.
Another example is Mahatma Gandhi, probably the world’s most well-known symbol of nonviolent resistance. He led peasants and workers against Britain’s colonization of India through peaceful means, such as fasting and self-purification.
8) You welcome change
Francesca Gino, a behavioral scientist and long-time professor at Harvard Business School, describes rebels as “people who break rules that should be broken.
They break rules that hold them and others back, and their way of rule-breaking is constructive rather than destructive. It creates positive change.”
While rebels might be seen as disruptive, they can do so in a positive way.
People who think differently tend to transform the landscape of their industry, and in some cases—for instance, Steve Jobs and Apple—society and culture.
That’s a deep change right there.
9) You’re not a people pleaser
“The easiest path is the path of least resistance.” This statement is not true for rebels.
One of the signs you’re a rebel who doesn’t care what other people think is if you are the opposite of a people pleaser.
A people-pleaser tries (sometimes to their own detriment) to fulfill other people’s expectations and conform to their views.
Rubin categorizes this kind of person as an “Obliger” because they feel obliged to do some things, even if it’s not even a real expectation.
As the moniker “people pleaser” indicates, they feel as though they’ll be letting other people down or they might get into trouble.
If you’re a rebel, this doesn’t really matter to you. This may also be because you don’t put much stock into other people’s opinions and you know what you want.
10) You tend to take charge
Among the signs you’re a rebel who doesn’t care what other people think is being proactive.
Taking action when you deem fit is best illustrated in the workplace setting.
Have you ever felt that you have a better solution to a problem you or your colleagues have at work? Do you feel passionate about an idea you believe would take your company’s image or sales to the next level?
That’s because you’re motivated by the potential to make a mark—in your community, your organization, or your industry.
If you are this type of person, it’s best to work within an organization that encourages creativity, promotes novelty and variety, fosters healthy discourse and debate, and allows asking questions.
11) You’re more than your job
Despite the fact that you’re eager to make a difference, as a rebel your job doesn’t define you.
If you remember the previous point, we established that rebels feel as though they’re part of something bigger. Rebels with a cause, so to speak.
This is a good thing: you probably have a healthy balance between work and life, and you may be less likely to get depressed or become deeply affected by a workplace setback.
Your job isn’t your identity–that’s one of the signs you’re a rebel who doesn’t care what other people think.
12) You intimidate others
One could argue that the rebel personality is a strong one.
It’s one that’s embodied by confidence, thinking for yourself, a refusal to color within the lines, and a certain level of vocality.
Your self-confidence can surprise and even inspire, but it can also intimidate, especially for some who may feel like they can’t measure up to you.
Your lack of hesitation in voicing out your opinions can make more reserved people feel uncomfortable.
As we’ve said, challenging the norms can ruffle some feathers. When you speak out, it can scare others who have never tried to do so or some other people who want things to stay the same.
13) You don’t do labels
One of the signs you’re a rebel who doesn’t care what other people think is when you don’t subscribe to labels.
You don’t like being boxed in or pigeonholed, being told that you can do or be only one thing.
As a rebel, you don’t believe in limitations, only new heights.
14) You’re drawn to thrilling experiences
As a rebel, you have an open mind. You’re always down to do something new, especially something you’ve never tried.
When other people think free-fall jumping like Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible is crazy, it only makes you want to go for it more!
This trait is what powers your adventurous streak. You know never to judge something (or someone, for that matter) until you’ve given it a shot.
15) You admire rulebreakers
Let me explain.
As a rebel, you’re always looking to change your part of the world. Because of that, you look to all the famous rebels of history, who were able to do what you aspire to do.
That could explain your fascination with the lives of people who’ve made their mark on history and how they did it.
The bottom line
A rebel defies society’s norms and expectations, and in the process stands against figures of authorities or long-standing institutions. They are also marked by their aversion to conform.
Although they can be seen as disruptive, they’re also capable of creating or sparking change–for the better. They tend to push people to think for themselves and think beyond whatever situation they are facing.
Whatever the case, being a rebel means standing up for yourself and/or for others.
