Pretend to Be A Normal Person
The First Rule to Opting Out of the System
Before I share how I got my driver’s license, passport, or banking account, I need to tell you the most important thing you can know to live a successful life as a sovereign citizen1.
I'll eventually explain what a sovereign citizen is. And no it's not some weird thing controversial theorists would have you believe it is. At this point, even if you THINK you know what it is, pretend you don't.
A few months back I went to visit some friends of mine who live similarly to us, except they don't have anything at all. When I mentioned that I had a banking account, they asked, "How did you get that!?"
I replied, "I just went in and pretended to be a normal person. I didn't say I didn't have a social security number. And when the time came for to deal with that part of the application, the guy already liked me. Sure he was a little shocked, but I'd already proved that I wasn't a quack. I got what I wanted."
My friends laughed. “How do you pretend to be a normal person!?”
It’s funny, but it’s true. If you act like a weirdo you’ll be treated like a weirdo.
However, if you want to be successful, you have to act like you deserve success, and you do that by pretending to be normal while also being polite.
Don't go somewhere with an embittered attitude that's expecting to fail. Go there knowing you are worthy of what you want. Walk with confidence. Smile and be friendly. Don't say weird things. Don't say, "I don't have a social security number, and since you do, the government owns you."
That does no good and makes you unlikable. Naturally, a bank teller will be unwilling to assist you.
Don't be unlikable; be normal. Smiling also will do wonders. Be considerate, be loving, be normal.
Don’t give people cause to hate you, or reason to think that people like you deserve to be locked away in an insane asylum. Be willing to fight, yes, but don't go looking for a fight. Don't spill anyone's blood but your own: work hard and don't create enemies.
You are a whole citizen, not an illegal. You know your rights. Others might not, but it's not your business to educate them right now. Act like you’re entitled to justice, and you might get it a little more often.
Also remember: not having a number is a rare privilege. But it doesn't make you morally better than any other person.
It might still be difficult to get what you want. But remain confident and polite. And maybe you'll find that by pretending you are normal, you actually are — more people will be willing to announce themselves to you! Maybe by being so, you'll make it so. Maybe you'll show others that it's actually better to live confidently informed of your rights. Maybe you'll be able to make this the new normal.
Believe it and it’ll be easier to make happen.
Let me know if you’ve ever tried this and found it to be true for you, too. Feel free to remain a little quirky in public! One of my favorite things to do is bring my knitting/ sewing along to church.
These essays will remain free to the public. However, if you enjoy this publication, consider buying a coffee to support The Girl Who Doesn’t Exist!
I use this term lightly, because I don’t actually identify as a sovereign citizen (someone who renounces their US citizenship).