We live in a society that grooms us for excellence. From the time we’re born, we are taught that the goal of life is to exceed expectations. We are pushed to achieve good grades in school so that we can gain admission into an excellent college. We strive for good grades in college so we can find a lucrative job that comes with a big paycheck. We need a good job to provide the very best for our families. Success and perfection are the ultimate goals and anything less means failure.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with reaching for success. We all want the best for our families and ourselves. However, the drive for high achievements can sometimes become overly stressful. Striving for superiority is often be emotionally draining. It can feel as if the weight of the world is on your shoulders.
With finals right around the corner, this topic is especially pertinent. I know that I am guilty of becoming extremely neurotic during this time of year. It seems that achieving high grades becomes all-consuming. I can spend hours in the library, stressing myself out, just to earn a good grade on a test. It feels as if my self-worth is dependent upon my GPA. Essentially, if I’m not excellent, I consider myself to be a failure.
During times of stress, we are taught to suck it up. It’s as if anxiety and tension have become parts of daily life. It’s crucial to keep yourself together, and portray an image of flawlessness. Society expects us to ignore the crippling feelings of anxiety and put on a happy face.
This needs to change. We need to confront the expectation that anything less than perfection is unacceptable. We also need to destroy the myth that it’s not okay to be imperfect.
While striving for success often yields great results, ignoring your mental well being in the process can result in negative consequences. Pretending that everything is great when you’re falling apart is absolutely unacceptable. Ignoring your feelings of anxiety will only snowball into greater distress. The weight of the stress that rests on your shoulders will eventually crush you.
To alter this state of mind, we must remember that we are more than a GPA or the amount of a paycheck. These numbers are important, but they are not everything. The world will not end if you get a low grade. These numbers cannot measure true success or personal worth.
We also need to learn that it’s okay not to be okay. Even though we are raised to seek success, we are only human. Achieving success is not worth sacrificing mental or physical well being. If you feel yourself struggling, don’t ignore it. Take time to relax, and ask for help when you need it. Don’t mask your imperfections and anxieties with a fake smile.
So as the madness of finals and the holiday season approaches, remember that failure is an inevitable part of life that can teach you valuable lessons. Stress and anxiety are also normal, but should not keep you from being happy and enjoying life. It is crucial to spend time with family and friends and to remember that life is more than the grades you achieve or the money you make. Rebel from society’s mandatory perfection and realize that it’s okay to not be okay.
