do one's own thing

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   To do what one considers to be best suited or most satisfying for oneself

   To do what one considers to be best suited or most satisfying for oneself; to do what expresses one's distinctive interests or talents; to do as one chooses.

   • The psychological patter of the '70s is as inescapable as Muzak and just as numbing: Are you relating? Going through heavy changes? In touch with yourself and doing your own thing?
   • This weekend, Mr. Rouse is doing his own thing: leading his own quartet with John Hicks on piano, Santi DeBriano on bass, and Ed Blackwell on drums, and playing his own compositions.
   • OK, so I want my kids to find their own way, do their own thing, become their own people.

The neighborhood