COMMON LIES WE OFTEN TELL OURSELVES (II)

Everyone Else Has It All Together…

In my last publication on the common lies we tell ourselves, I uncovered some of the subtle yet damaging deceptions that can hold us back from reaching our full potential, exploring and confronting the internalized myths that whisper ‘we’re not enough’ and the self-doubt that creeps in when we’re faced with challenges. As we continue on this journey of self-discovery, it is important we delve deeper into the complexities of our own minds and confront the more insidious lies that lurk beneath the surface.

In this follow-up piece, we’ll venture further into the depths of our own self-deception, examining the ways in which our thoughts intersect to shape our perceptions of reality – and ourselves.

The belief that “others have it all together” is a common and harmful lie we often tell ourselves. It is a false assumption that everyone else is living a perfect life, has their act together, and is free from struggles and imperfections.

In reality, everyone faces challenges, insecurities, fears and uncertainties, whereas, social media often present a curated version of people’s lives, hiding their true struggles and imperfections, leading to unrealistic comparisons and a distorted view of reality.

Behind the masks we wear and the highlight reels we curate, many of us hide a secret: we feel like frauds, like we’re just pretending to have it all together. We compare our behind-the-scenes moments to everyone else’s edited perfection, and wonder why we don’t measure up. But what if we’re not alone in this charade? What if everyone else is just as uncertain, just as struggling, and just as imperfect as we are? It’s time to shed the lies and embrace our true selves, imperfections and all.

No one has a perfect life, no one has a perfect relationship, no one really have their shits together, there is no perfect family, that’s you over thinking things than they really are. We are all in this together – puzzled, shuffling through the many cards of life trying to find the right card to fix in the right spot and of course, there’ll be a little mismatch here and there, but, with patience and determination, we’ll get the perfect picture too.

Let’s dive deeper into some of the dangers of comparison and how it can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem, limiting you from maximizing your full potential:

Comparison is a natural human tendency, but when it becomes excessive or unhealthy, it can lead to harmful consequences, such as;

1. Focusing on other people’s strengths and accomplishments, while overlooking our own
2. Ignoring the fact that everyone has different struggles, challenges, and circumstances
3. Assuming others are living a more perfect, successful, or happy life
4. Feeling like we don’t measure up, leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem

This constant comparison, if not controlled can eventually lead to:

1. Unhappiness and discontentment with our own life
2. Self-doubt and negative self-talk
3. Anxiety and stress
4. Decreased motivation and self-confidence
5. Difficulty finding contentment and appreciation for our own accomplishments

Remember the saying, “comparison is a thief of joy”, yes, and it is a losing game. It is therefore essential to recognize and challenge these thoughts, focusing on our own growth, strengths, and accomplishments. By doing so, we can cultivate a more positive self-image, self-acceptance, and self-love which is essential for a happy and fulfilling life.

The illusion of perfection makes it easy to think that everyone else has their life together, except you, but trust me, they don’t! Everyone faces challenges, struggles, and uncertainties, even if we all don’t show it on social media or in public.

You are unique, with your own strengths, talents, and experiences. Embrace your individuality and celebrate your small wins, even if they seem insignificant to others. You got this!

Now repeat this to yourself: “I am enough, and I am doing my best”. That’s something to be proud of. Be proud of you!

Let’s take off the masks, shall we? Take off the pretense. It’s exhausting! Isn’t it? Let’s embrace our flaws and our imperfections. Let’s celebrate our unique journeys and the beauty of our authentic selves. We are not alone in our struggles, and we are not alone in our imperfections. We are human, and that is enough. By dropping the act and embracing our true selves, we can find freedom, self-acceptance, and a sense of belonging. We can find happiness, not in pretending to be perfect, but in being perfectly imperfect.

Love,
From your imperfect writer.
❤❤❤