It’s Not a Popularity Contest… It’s Life!

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“I may not be everyone’s favorite, but I’m not in a popularity contest… this is life! They may not understand you, but one day they just might thank you!” my dear outspoken friend recently posted.  You know, she’s right. Sometimes someone just needs to say “stay in your own lane” in a way I understand.

All too often, I get in my own way by being too nice, biting my tongue off, not saying what I should because it may offend someone, or just overthinking a situation to the point where I do nothing. However, there are times, when I am a firecracker, and I don’t give a >>>> what anyone thinks. Those times are usually when it involves someone imposing a threat to my child. They then meet who I wish I were (maybe a little more toned-down version) all the time. See… I know she is in there, and you know you have your own version of who you want to be too.

Why do we not just be who we are?

There are so many people out there living their best life, being the best version of themselves, self-caring into their happy spots, while I’m just trying to find the bottom of my sink and not yell at my kid. There are all of these ways to unplug and #YOLO. However, that takes work too, and I’m just too tired.

Let’s be real. I grew up in a time where we were told to go to college and get a job or just go work at the bank for the rest of your life. We weren’t asked what is “our vision for life?” We were asked, “what are you going to do after college?”. Today, everyone has a different pressure. It’s live your best life. Now I must go figure out what my best life is and why I haven’t started living it yet. Good grief.

Sorry if I sound a little like a disbeliever in all the hype, well I’m not sorry actually. I now feel anxiety and guilt because I, too, have fallen into the trap of I should be living my best life. Look that doesn’t happen overnight. However, I can see how it can be a mindset. If you aren’t where you want to be, try at first adjusting how you think about where you are. Give yourself a break, a path forward, and all the re-adjustments you may need along the way. I guess it does come down to just that first step in the direction you want to go.

Your best life today may not be your best life tomorrow.

The good and bad news about life is that it changes. I need to stop worrying about what people think, but then again, I don’t need to get fired. How do you walk that line? We still must be adults but do our best to be genuine while giving others grace. I read one time, before you give someone a piece of your mind give them a piece of your heart. You may get more back than you gave. In short, I beat myself up because I don’t say what I want all the time or take action immediately. I step back and try to give grace or think through all sides. I’m not trying to win a popularity contest, I have all the friends I need, I just want to be kind.

In the end, being authentic and kind has got to be the best version of myself. However, I’m still not going to post about living my best life. I’m just not falling into the hype. I’m not there yet, but I’m a work in progress. #WIP #JustbeKind