“This is it then, that’s all it takes?”, I wonder as I turn away from the phone. The screen is lit with posts on Facebook. Or Instagram. Or Twitter. Does it really matter? Different facades, but undeniably similar foundations.
Much like everybody else, I scroll through the feed, not giving it a second thought. I laugh at some posts, smile at others, mindlessly tap the like button on many. Then comes along the post that suddenly makes me very aware of myself – the things that I’m doing (rather, things that I’m not), clothes that I wear, places that I go to, money that I spend, thoughts people have about me, and the moments that I upload and validate online. These things that dictate my life according to social norms, seem like they aren’t good enough. They make me go on overdrive, feel like I’m not good enough and wonder what I should do differently to make my life more eventful and more “like” able. But what I don’t realize in the moment, what I know in the back of my head, is that none of those things matter. The people who pop up once in a while on my feed are just that – a pop-up, possibly better when ignored.
So what is it that does matter then?
You.
That’s the simple answer.
Don’t get me wrong though. This does not mean you walk over everyone else and completely ignore what they have to say.
It means, put yourself before anyone else but make sure there are a few others on the list.
It means, listen to your close ones and ponder over it, but in the end, listen to your heart.
It means, you’re not guaranteed to be right, but your choice will be a mistake you are sure not to repeat. Well, because “I told you so” is better than “You should’ve given it a shot”.
It means, do not transform yourself into someone you wouldn’t recognize in the mirror. Yes, it’s compelling to look like someone or live life like someone. So take inspiration from that and mold yourself to a better version of you. Don’t discard your roots and be just another copy.
It means, never undersell yourself. You might not be great at everything, but you can be good at anything if you put your mind to it.
It means, know that there’s only one person by your side every moment of every day, and that person is stronger than you see, more legendary than you know, and can surprise you in more ways than you can imagine, because it’s you.
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