We think it's one thing to be "contrarian" and it's another to "do what everybody else is doing." But this is the wrong debate. It doesn't matter whether you label yourself as contrarian or part of the herd, as long as you have the conviction to follow through on your beliefs.
You can call yourself a contrarian but essentially hold the same view as other contrarians. That's no different from mindlessly following the herd.
In contrast, you can actually be following the herd and be a contrarian because you have some subtle differences in mind, which make you see what others don't.
This is only to show that contrarian or non-contrarian, it doesn't matter. What matters is the ability, strength, courage, and conviction to do what you want to do, and stick with those choices, those commitments.
If you call yourself a contrarian but aren't willing to follow through with the contrarian choices, it's 'sans-contrarianism.' It's not not being a contrarian; it's not being a contrarian; it's not having conviction. That's it.
Conviction, then, is far more important than the outcome of your beliefs.