By Wouter (Contributor, Culture of Awareness), Simply Syntropic, July 2, 2015 (Original post date: June 16, 2015)

About a year ago I started taking yoga classes. I must say I was impressed. I found that yoga has a very subtle but noticeable positive effect on my body, mind and soul.

What was also very noticeable where the sweat stains- and smells on the publicly used mats. To avoid this, I ordered a yoga-mat online. It arrived by mail the day I flew back to Zambia. It was pink. I kept it. Here is why:

Being one of the few guys at yoga I already attract enough attention to myself during class. Now imagine the attention I would get if I rocked up with a bright pink yoga mat!?

I discussed it with a few friends and they all advised me against it, for several reasons. Mainly because:

•  “I will be known as the guy with the pink yoga mat”
• “It is girly and yoga is girly enough as it is”
• “People will look at you in “a strange way”

I call bullshit. First of all, because I have no actual evidence that people will think this about me.

But more importantly, essentially it has  nothing to do with me and who I am. What it has to do with is people’s perception and labelling of what simply is.

Pink is just a colour. I am just a guy. If you judge me for it and make assumptions because of it, I won’t be offended. What you think of me is not my problem. My problem – or rather; my opportunity-  is what I think of me.

I’m happy with who I am. Pink yoga-mat or not. So will I buy a new mat just because it is “not normal” for a guy to have a pink yoga mat? Of course not. I have an opportunity to lead by example and show that what matters is what I think of me.

In many instances we base our decisions on what other people might think of us. That is a reaction out of fear. Instead, find love and embrace that what makes you different and unique. If you are cool with it, others will be too.

To pink yoga-mats

About the author:

Wouter- bitten by a butterfly at age three- is a lifelong learner, travel fanatic, an award-winning over thinker and is living the life of his dreams as a bushpilot and freelance writer. He gives practical, down to earth advice about discovering your passion in life and finding happiness in day-to-day life.Follow him at Simply Syntropic