It’s never been easier to fit in.
Algorithms tell us what to watch, what to wear, where to eat. Trends roll in and out so quickly that it’s safer to just blend in. Slowly, without even noticing, we’ve traded in our edges for something smoother, easier - yet ultimately, less us.
Today’s Table Talk muses on how we can escape the sea of sameness and enjoy a life less ordinary.
It was in a brilliant thought piece by Alex Murrell, that we first stumbled upon ‘the age of average’. In Alex’s words, we’re all so wrapped up in fitting in, that we’ve forgotten how to embrace the strange, the different and the extraordinary.
Brands, buildings, even faces have started looking eerily alike - and this conformity has come at a cost. In prioritising what feels like belonging, we’ve actually started to lose something: the spark of difference, the thrill of the unknown, the little burst of energy that comes from something unexpected.
Safety, as it turns out, has a price. Sure, it’s comfortable to stay in the lines, to order the same thing, to know exactly what to expect. But comfort doesn’t make you feel alive. It doesn’t make your heart race or your mind expand. It’s like eating Ryvita for lunch - not bad, just… forgettable.
The Generic City
Photo Credit: Alex Murrell
So, how do we step away from the ordinary?
The honest truth is that it's very much a work in progress, but starts with simply trying to notice when we’re playing it safe. Then from there, embracing unfamiliar moments and recognising that the real magic often happens when we feel a little awkward, or we let curiosity lead us to a place that doesn't quite make sense on paper.
And beyond that, we try and surround ourselves with great minds and fresh perspectives. A few firm favourites being...
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The Do Lectures: A collection of talks and ideas designed to spark something in the creative underdog.
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The Hidden 20%: A podcast series that dives into the minds of people who see the world a little differently - and explores how thinking outside the norm can be a superpower.
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The School of Life: A treasure trove of thought-provoking content on confidence, creativity, and carving out your own path.
The Generic Content
Photo Credit: Insta Repeat
If we’ve learnt anything in life, it’s that the best stories, the most interesting people and the moments that stay with you - rarely come from choosing the well-trodden path.
At Wednesday’s Domaine, we know what it’s like to stand outside the norm. And honestly? It’s a good place to be. Here’s to the odd ones, the curious ones, the ones who choose a life that’s anything but average.
After a couple of weeks off, the answer is not much. But honestly, that feels like a good thing.
Stepping back from the day to day has been a reminder of how much perspective comes from a change of scene: different places, different cultures, different rhythms.
It’s so easy to get caught up in the grind, but sometimes the best thing you can do is pause, soak it all in, and come back with fresh eyes that can look beyond the sea of sameness.
Now, time to get stuck back into all things Wednesday’s Domaine.
Until next week,
Luke x
