How to be emo
Posted September 5, 2007
How to Be Emo
The emo subculture is associated with emo music but also extends into appearance, behavior, and perspectives on life. If you want to get in touch with your inner emo, here's how.
[edit] Steps
1.Understand what emo is. Like any style, fashion or culture, the exact definition is up for debate and often varies according to personal expression. The term emo is loosely associated with emotionally charged punk rock, however it originally meant emotional hardcore - modern 'emo' music is more of a branch off from what it started out as. Most emos like underground or indie music. Emo has branched out from punk/indie.
2.Support the music. Emo is a rock music genre, usually consisting of emotional lyrics and (optional) "screamo." Over the years, this music genre was usually seen as underground until recent times, making emo music more popular than ever. This music sometimes consists of lyrics seen by many as "whiny," and "sensitive", which is not true in all instances. Remember that MTV does not portray the "correct" or "true" emo.
oConsider taking up an instrument such as the bass, guitar, drums or even the violin. If you invest enough time into it, the violin can sound incredibly emo.
oTry writing poetry and turning it into songs.
3.Test yourself. Try listening to emo music. If you end up liking this type of music, youre probably a "true" emo. Getting inner emo is all a matter of finding out if you have it or not.
4.
Dress the part. After you have discovered your inner emo, try shopping for a new wardrobe. Emo fashion has roots in punk, goth, and scene. Wear pencil tight jeans, tight shirts with emo band logos on them, studded belts, and an old, black and worn down pair of chuck taylor converse or vans. Thick, black-rimmed glasses are not uncommon for emo guys. Also, stripes and checkers are big in the emo culture. It is emo to wear dark colors with a bit of neon mixed in, but no emos will tease you for wearing colors.
5.
Change your hair. Dye it black with perhaps some blond or unnatural colored streaks, especially in the bangs. If you are a girl, you may possibly want to cut your hair to a very short bob-like hairstyle but keep your bangs long, swept drastically to one side and covering your eye. Or, for those who like Long hair, get many choppy layers and highlights. For a guy, you may want to spike up the back side, and pat down on the front side. You could also get your bangs/fringe dyed a lighter color than the rest of your hair.
6.Get the attitude. A lot of times, emo is associated with being bitter, depressed, insecure and resentful. But at its core, you can be emo because you're sensitive, introspective, thoughtful, and quiet.
7.Learn to love yourself and others. The truth is, you and everyone else are all people deep down, and even though we all want to be noticed for our individualities, It's essential not to segregrate yourself. Even though you may look different, treat everyone else as your equal, and don't stick to only having emo friends if you don't want to. Just do what makes you happy socially. #*Kindness is a basic expectation for social skills, and even if you decide to go along with this guide on the way to being emo, don't ever think that people outside of this culture don't understand you. Without the look, you may very well be the same as them. The popular cheerleader and/or jock at your school may have similar everyday problems as you. Loving yourself is also very important.
8.Also make sure you know the difference between emo and goth, they are both totally different. Goths don't act depressed, and attempt to get attention. Goths tend to act different because they don't want to act like everyone else, and try to be original, and not try to follow others.
[edit] Tips
Don't talk about cutting yourself with other people
Don't whine 24/7.
Help the community by volunteering at the local Gym as a punching bag!
