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Here we are again, our well-meaning rainbow nation is about to celebrate Heritage Day.
Though full of good intentions, it has become a day on which we are forced to scramble about for heritage what-what.
Most of us are a glorious blend of what we are genetically, culturally and ideologically.
Suddenly, in September, we have to find an outfit to wear with that.
Along the same vein, February 14 is no longer a normal day. Instead, red and white outfits have become the norm.
Relationships are ended if a partner does not do anything for the other on this “special day”.
The commercialisation of the day has led to many incurring unnecessary debt so that the whole world can see how much they are loved by or love their partners.
It has become a competition in which participants try to surpass the previous year’s showing of love.
Then there is Mothers’ Day – a special day to show your love for your mother. Really?
Only one day in a 365-day cycle is for the woman who bore you, and this must be seen by the whole world on social-media platforms. That’s serious love, indeed.
These are some of the examples of days where it seems as if it is incumbent on us to do things because we want to belong.
The question is whether we really have to do things just because everyone else is doing the same.
Or should we be doing the things we want to, without being put under pressure because of others?
With the sun rising earlier since the beginning of spring, the roads are getting busier – not only with cars, but with joggers taking advantage of the good weather before heading to work.
The gyms are back to full capacity, compared with the empty days between June and August, when people decided to take a break.
All of this is welcome if we do it to stay fit, but it’s clearly wrong if we’re just trying to keep up with our peers.
Over the past few weeks, people have started to talk about running or working out so they can get a “summer body”.
Bodies that had been out of action for three months, sometimes longer, are being put through gruelling exercises to get them in shape.
Are we certain the summer body will spring out after a few gym sessions?
Are we under so much societal pressure that we all need to have these summer bodies?
Why don’t we just say to ourselves: “I want a body I am comfortable with.”
After all, a summer body to one could mean something else to another.
We should avoid trying to belong and rather be ourselves.
Follow me on Twitter @DumisaneLubisi
