So here’s a story for you: I’m staring at my wardrobe. I see black tights, black heels, a black and gray dress, a black blazer. I think that each item goes well together. It turns into an outfit. I am going to an event that calls for business attire. No, I do not look like a businesswoman. I look like Wednesday from the Addams family. At least according to my brother, who sent me back into the house to find something less hideous to wear. The fact is, I have no style. And it’s probably not going to get any better than this.
I am somebody who shies away from doing anything that is new or allows me to be unsuccessful at something. One of the more consistent missteps I make involves wearing items that make me look like I tripped into the clothes section at a roadside gas station. I own more pajamas than I do jeans, and nine times out of ten, I’d rather be inside. The silly things, like not being able to put an outfit together, keep me away from trying new things. Along with a host of other insecurities, I have to work hard to be brave and go out.
I often find myself wondering if other people look the way they wish they do. I see a beautiful person walk by me on the sidewalk and I wonder if that’s how they were hoping to look that day. More often than not, I find out that the people around me are just hoping no one notices the stain on their shirt, the scuff on their shoes, the fat on their hips, or anything else someone imagines they’ve done wrong.
So here’s the point. Every time I walk outside I have already made an unstylish choice. The upside is that there’s always the possibility that it is the worst mistake I make for the day. I’ve got that going for me. But here’s what people forget to remind themselves of: being brave and wrong, is better than doing nothing. To accomplish your goals, you have to push yourself to do the things that you think you can’t do. You have put on a brave face, even when you haven’t put on the “right” outfit. You won’t always be right, you can’t always be the best, and you’re never going to be perfect. But trying is worth something, being confident in yourself is worth something, and learning to fail with grace is worth a whole lot more than sitting at home in your pajamas. As much as I hate to admit it, it is not always the time to binge watch Netflix and hide from everybody and everything you know. It can feel good, but don’t let it take you over. Try new things. Be brave. Don’t let the pursuit of perfection or the fear of failure prevent you from becoming somebody better.
More than anything else, don’t be too hard on yourself. Take care of yourself and don’t let other people’s expectations bring you down. Put on a brave face, see how it goes. And if all else fails, know that you are at least guaranteed to be wearing a better outfit than me.
