Just a little while ago I was browsing the world of Instagram and came across a comment that instantly made me do the eye roll. I don't recall who it was or what the picture even was other than it being a couple. The comment was simply, "Relationship goals!" and then some cheesy emoticon. I thought to myself, "What is it about this person's response that makes me roll my eyes in disgust?" It wasn't because I didn't like the individuals (obviously, I can't even remember who they were) or it wasn't because I'm just a bitter, old witch (mwahahahah). It was because I just don't get how so many people see something in other people, whether it's a simple personality trait, something about their appearance or in this case the type of romantic relationship that someone has and want that for themselves. Why not just be yourself, make your own goals and not use somebody's life as an example of how you want your life to be?
Even in my most insecure of times, I never really wanted to be somebody else. First and foremost, I'm a pretty logical person and even if I wanted to wake up and be somebody else, I always knew that was never going to happen. I will be in the same body and be the same person until my corpse drops down into the casket. That's life and you can't pick who you want to be, but you can decide what you want out of your own life... not somebody else's life.
With social media seeping into every crack of our existence, we're constantly being exposed to people from all over the world who are living and documenting their lives through photos, videos and writing. While I think it's amazing that we have that capability, I think sometimes some of us get a little too wrapped up in what's going on "the other side of the internet." Comments that I see like..." I wish I could be you!" and "Goals!" just scream insecurities to me. I don't think a woman who is truly confident in herself would ever say something like that. It's somewhat sad. And while it might not be "completely serious" it still shows how low we've stooped to where admiration turns into desperation to be somebody else. Why not just admire and appreciate another woman for who she is and her confidence?
Don't get me wrong, I draw inspiration from various sources but at the core of it, I am always myself and that's something I make a point not to lose sight of. I think a lot girls who are my age and younger are influenced by this celebrity culture, as well as what they see their peers doing on social media and feel like they need to be right there, doing the same thing or even one upping them. As if life is a competition.
Guess what? There is no prize at the end of the finish line if you lived a better life than someone else. Also, who is even to decide what is a good life? A good life for one might be a nightmare to somebody else. It's all a matter of perspective and if you're okay with how things are going in your own life and who you are, then that's all that should matter. Nobody is ever happy all of the time, nobody has a perfect life and nobody is ever 100% content (even if they say they are, there is always room for improvement or growth that can be accomplished).
While I think that at the end of the day, everybody has some level of insecurity and lacks confidence in some regard, finding your own path and deciding what you want out of your own life will help to build your self confidence. There is an extremely cheesy saying that goes, "Be yourself. Everybody else is taken." and while I typically do not condone the use of lame brain quotes, I'll make an exception this one time.
