The idea of ‘Fake It Till You Make It' is silently hurting people.
The myth is currently worshiped in today's society and I believe it has caused more harm than most realize.
And the concept that you should be successful all the time, no matter what is going on in your head.
It comes in various forms nowadays.
“Fake it till you make it.”
If you see yourself struggling don't let anyone see it.
Do everything possible to live a soft life.
“Everyone is on top of the world except you.”
Initially, these things seem harmless. Motivational even.
However, on closer inspection, you realize they've developed a culture of people doing life rather than living it.
I feel younger folks are the worst affected.
Today, images are worth more than honesty.
These days, people are under pressure to appear successful before they are stable. Stress to be joyful prior to recovery. The need to display luxury even before they have established peace.
Everything is presentation.
Cars people can’t afford.
Debt-financed trips.
Fake lifestyles online.
Forced confidence.
Talking as if one has a solution.
And, since social media will always give attention to this appearance, people begin to think that being "successful" is the same as looking "successful".
But it’s not.
The one thing I always notice in people is how tiring they make themselves with this mindset.
One would expect that young people would feel left behind at 20. Lost at 25. “Unsuccessful” at 30.
Not because they are failures in life, but because they are comparing their life to the idealized lives of others.
Contentment dies a quiet death when compared to that.
Once someone begins to seek validation rather than growth, they lose themselves and without fully realizing it.
One of the most dangerous aspects of this viewpoint is its anti-vulnerability message.
It's no longer acceptable to say they are struggling with money, mental, emotional or professional issues.
Everyone wishes to appear “put together.”
In the meantime, there are many who are anxious, confused, overwhelmed and silently drowning.
But because no one wants to seem weak, everyone keeps on doing something!
I personally beat myself up and remind myself that sometimes change takes a while and isn't usually pretty.
The best learning takes place when it is done in private.
Not all seasons of life are a great look.
Occasionally, growth takes the form of Surviving difficult months.
learning quietly,
rebuilding after failure,
Being disciplined when no one is paying attention,
Or refusing to quit, or simply being unyielding.
I really believe that's the real definition of growth and it's better respected than performative success online.
As far as younger folks around me, I try to tell them to have a realistic perspective.
I don't like to sell people fantasies.
I like to say the truth to people.. life is sometimes hard.. sometimes confusing.. somethings takes time to grow.. and no one knows it all.
When people realize they don't need to keep being so nice to each other all the time they start to be themselves.
I also believe that we need to re-normalise living normal lives once more.
Truthfully not everyone will be a millionaire by the time they reach 25.
Not all hustles will go boom.
Not all successful people make loud noise on the Internet.
And that’s okay.
Slow and steady growth is dignified.
Honesty is a thing of dignity.
It is good and dignified to build softly.
In the end, I think it's important to keep the two apart – real life from performance.
People often give up on their peace, authenticity and even mental health as the pressure to be successful continually takes over, which is not the natural way.The pressure to be continually successful can make people give up on peace, authenticity and even mental health in order to maintain the image.
But no image is worth losing yourself for.
[Image is Mine]
