Cover photo by Dollar Gill on Unsplash.

Throughout my entire life, I have been given the following advice more times than I can remember:

Do not think that you are anything special.

This is the worst piece of life advice I have ever received and still, it is occasionally given to me in various forms.

The Law of Jante

I spent my childhood being told by so-called role models that I was dumb and that I would never make anything of myself.

Growing up further from civilization than the town which the fictional Danish town of Jante is based on, this should come as no surprise.

The Law of Jante states that:

1. You are not to think you are anything special.
2. You are not to think you are as good as we are.
3. You are not to think you are smarter than we are.
4. You are not to imagine yourself better than we are.
5. You are not to think you know more than we do.
6. You are not to think you are more important than we are.
7. You are not to think you are good at anything.
8. You are not to laugh at us.
9. You are not to think anyone cares about you.
10. You are not to think you can teach us anything.

The Law of Jante is a tribute to conformity and not doing anything out of the ordinary. Do not even think about doing anything extraordinary. That would be unworthy and inappropriate in the Jante society.

Small Scandinavian societies such as the fictional town of Jante disapprove if we express our individuality or personal success.

My life advice to you

Conforming to the Law of Jante leads to the infamous Impostor Syndrome: Doubting your abilities and feeling like a fraud.

Instead, my advice to you is this.

• Know that you are someone special.
• Appreciate that you are important.
• Believe that someone cares about you.

Believe in yourself. Don't let others bring your down.

Surround yourself with people supporting you for the right reasons.

Recognize that you are good at something. It is OK to take pride in being good at something.

Ignore haters or prove them wrong.

You can teach something to someone.

This is the way to excel in a subject and teaching is a most precious experience.

You are extraordinary!