We all know that imitation is supposed to be the highest form of flattery. It is sweet when a younger sibling wants to be just like their big sister. However, there is a very fine line between looking up to someone and trying to inhabit their entire identity. When that line is crossed, it can feel a bit like living with a shadow that never goes away.
A college student recently shared a story about her sixteen-year-old sister who copies every single thing she does. From piercings to outfits, the younger girl wants to be a carbon copy of her older sibling. After years of feeling “creeped out” by this behavior, the older sister decided to have a little fun with a mushroom-shaped wig. What started as a silly Instagram post turned into a permanent fashion disaster.
Grab a cup of tea, because this sibling drama is a masterclass in why we should all embrace our own unique styles.
The Story
This story really makes me think about how exhausting it must be to feel like someone is always watching your every move. It is understandable that the older sister reached a breaking point. We all want to feel like individuals, and having someone mirror your every fashion choice would feel a bit stifling.
The fact that she used a mushroom wig to “test” her sister’s copycat habit is a little cheeky, I must admit. It is one of those situations where you can see the humor, even if the result was a bit extreme for the teenager. It brings up a lot of questions about how we help siblings find their own paths. Let’s look at what the experts say about this kind of intense imitation.
Expert Opinion
In the world of psychology, this behavior is often linked to identity formation. Erik Erikson, a famous psychologist, talked about “Identity vs. Role Confusion” as a major stage for teenagers. Sometimes, a younger sibling finds it easier to borrow an existing identity than to do the hard work of building their own. According to Healthline, mirroring is often a way people try to connect or feel safe.
However, when mirroring becomes constant, it can interfere with the development of the “self.” Dr. Sarah Bren, a clinical psychologist, often explains that children need to feel like they are seen as individuals. When a younger child only gets attention for being “just like” their sibling, they might stop trying to find their own hobbies or style. They are effectively hiding behind someone else’s shadow.
According to reports from VeryWell Mind, parents play a huge role in these dynamics. If parents encourage “twinning” or don’t set boundaries, the copycat behavior can worsen. In this Redditor’s case, the parents wanting the older sister to cut her hair as “fairness” is quite a concern. It suggests that they might be valuing “sameness” over individual choices.
The father of family therapy, Murray Bowen, talked about “differentiation of self.” This is the ability to be your own person while staying connected to your family. The younger sister in this story seems to have very low differentiation. She is literally cutting her hair to match a lie because she doesn’t know who she is without her sister’s lead. While the prank was a bit mischievous, it forced a very visible distinction between the two girls for the first time in years.
Community Opinions
The Reddit community had quite a bit to say about the mushroom cut mishap. Most people felt that while the prank was a little mean, the real problem was the family’s overall behavior.
Many users felt that the parents were the real problem for enabling the behavior.
![[Reddit User] − Your parents expected you to cut your hair to be fair? That's weird.](https://dailyhighlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wp-editor-1767175303036-5.webp "When Imitation Goes Wrong: One Sister Tricked Her Copycat Sibling with a Pink Wig")
Other readers thought the sister needed professional help to find her own identity.
![[Reddit User] − NTA. You caught her red handed. She literally became angry because she couldn’t have your identity anymore.](https://dailyhighlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wp-editor-1767175257991-1.webp "When Imitation Goes Wrong: One Sister Tricked Her Copycat Sibling with a Pink Wig")
A few commenters pointed out that the prank was a bit immature for an adult.
Several users simply found the irony of the situation quite funny.
How to Navigate a Situation Like This
When dealing with a “copycat” in your life, it is important to lead with compassion while keeping your boundaries firm. You can acknowledge that they admire you, but gently remind them that their own choices are what make them special. If someone keeps copying you, try to avoid “tricking” them, as that can lead to more resentment.
Instead, you can try asking questions like, “What do you like about this specific style?” to help them find their own voice. If parents are pressuring you to match a sibling for the sake of fairness, have a calm conversation about why your personal autonomy matters. It is okay to want your own look and your own life. Healthy families thrive when every member is allowed to be their own unique self.
Conclusion
This story is a quirky reminder that we all need our own “mushroom haircuts” to realize who we are. While the younger sister is probably feeling very embarrassed right now, this could be the start of her finally finding her own style. It is a bit of a tough lesson to learn at sixteen, but at least she will stand out in the yearbook!
What would you do if a sibling copied everything you did? Was the mushroom wig prank a bit too far, or was it just the right amount of “sisterly love”? We would love to hear your thoughts and your own sibling stories in the comments!
