do one's own thing

present singular third person does one's own thing · participle present doing one's own thing · past did one's own thing · participle past done one's own thing

1. datedidiomaticinformalpossiblyTo 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.

   OK, so I want my kids to find their own way, do their own thing, become their own people.

   2010 December 11, Gill Sutherland, “I want my kids to rebel”, in Guardian, UK, retrieved 08 Dec 2019

   3 more examples

   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?

   1977 October 3, “Behavior: Psychobabble”, in Time, retrieved 08 Dec 2019

   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.

   1988 July 1, John S. Wilson, “Sounds Around Town”, in New York Times, retrieved 08 Dec 2019

   If we look at Stephen Harper’s wife, she was basically a non-entity in public. She maintained real distance from political life and just kept doing her own thing.

   2016 May 12, Shannon Proudfoot, “Sophie’s role: What do we expect of prime ministers’ spouses?”, in Macleans, Canada, retrieved 08 Dec 2019

   Synonyms: suit oneself