By Raj Mistry
In this world, almost everyone is a sheep. They don’t really know why they’re doing what they’re doing — they just follow. Someone starts a trend, and everyone joins in. It doesn’t matter whether they actually like it or not; nobody wants to feel left out. So we follow the crowd, convincing ourselves that we’re making our own choices — when in reality, we’re just following someone else’s path.
When a new fashion trend comes out, we might dislike it at first. It feels strange — “How can anyone dress like that?” But after seeing others wear it again and again, we start to think it’s normal, maybe even cool. We train ourselves to like what’s popular, not what’s genuine.
Think about social media. When Instagram or Facebook first appeared, not everyone wanted to join. But as people around us signed up, we didn’t want to be the odd one out. Eventually, everyone joined. Not out of real desire — but out of fear of missing out.
The same pattern appears in careers. If one friend chooses commerce, another might follow without thinking. Maybe even the first friend was following someone else’s choice. And that’s how a generation of followers is created — people moving in the same direction, not because they want to, but because everyone else is.
We are influenced by celebrities, influencers, and family expectations. We consume what they promote and shape our lives around what others say is “right.” Only a few people can honestly say that their choices are entirely their own — unshaped by trends, opinions, or validation.
Take the recent obsession with Apple products. Everyone seems to want an iPhone or iPad — not necessarily because they need it, but because everyone else has it. If someone uses an Android phone, they’re often seen as outdated or poor, even if their phone works perfectly fine for their needs. People buy the iPhone just to fit in — even if they only use it for photos or social media, things any other phone can do. That’s how deep the herd mentality runs: we start confusing status with self-worth.
Like sheep that walk through the same door every day — even if the field around them is open — we also limit ourselves to what we’ve seen others do. We don’t question whether there might be another way.
It’s the same with horses. If a horse is trained with a bridle long enough, it learns to obey the pull of the rope. Later, even when the bridle is imaginary, the horse still follows. That’s what happens when our minds get conditioned — we stop questioning, stop exploring, and start following out of habit.
When we blindly follow, we lose awareness of what we truly like, what fits us. We forget to ask simple but powerful questions — “Is this really me?” “Do I even want this?”
People who think differently, who question instead of following, often become the ones others follow. Leaders are not born; they’re created when they stop following.
But when people follow the wrong leader — someone with selfish motives — it can lead to destruction. History is full of such examples.
So take a moment to analyze your own life. Are you walking your chosen path — or are you just following the crowd?
Choose consciously. Think freely. Don’t be a sheep.
