Your Story Matters
How many times in your life have you looked around and wished you had someone else’s life? You may wonder why they get the best breaks, or long for things to be as easy for you as it seems to be for them. Perhaps you even question your worth, or dismiss the things that used to bring you joy because now you don’t feel like you measure up. Here is the truth: Your Story Matters.
I want to tell you that we all feel that way more than we ever would admit. I remember my grandma reminding us how easy it was to believe that the grass is greener in someone else’s yard each time we followed up a request with “but SusieQ has one”. But I don’t think I understood what she really meant. That is until now.
It seems that now more than ever too many of us measure our value or worth by comparing our lives with the lives of those around us. We compare what we have materially, what our relationships are like and what that means about our lifestyle. We judge ourselves when we think someone else is doing it better or feel like we should be more successful than we are.
Impact of Social Media
At a time where the internet and social media puts our lives in the spotlight it’s so easy to feel like everyone else has it together, when you might just be trying to make it through the day. Behind the screen it’s easy to pretend, judge and comment. It’s also easy to take it all personally and feel inadequate.
A quick glance at my Facebook feed triggers the thought that I’ll never be enough, never have enough and definitely should be running my life very differently than I do. I mean who can measure up to the perfect kid who says the cleverest things day in and day out. And let’s not even talk about the spouse who not only brings home the bacon but actually knows how to fry it up in the pan. Who REALLY works out AND has a perfect day every day? I know I don’t.
But why would I want to? More importantly why do I feel that I need to? The reality is that my life is mine, and only I really know what it is that makes me happy and fulfilled. Only I know what my perfect anything is. I have to live with the choices I make and deal with the good, the bad and the ugly so as long as I’m comfortable in my own skin, why do I look beyond that for approval and proof of my worth?
Our Experiences Make Us Who We Are:
My experiences make me who I am and yours make you who you are. And the people we are become perfect in the moment. We grow, we change and we improve. We learn from our mistakes and move forward. It is the knowledge, skills and unique characteristics that make us who we are not the comparison. And YOU are more than enough. In fact it’s bigger than that.
Just as every post/comment has the ability to make someone feel inadequate there is another that will change their life for the better. And who is more qualified to empower someone else than the person who’s had a rough time as of late? No one.
You see, every bump, detour and setback gives your life character and makes you who you are. Your story matters and your experience matters. Sharing it authentically makes a difference. So stop comparing, stop wishing and quit thinking “the grass is greener” because you are perfect right now. No one has it all together all the time, but we all have a story and YOURS can make all the difference to someone else. Now go share it because your experience could help change the world.
~Judy Davis is on a mission to help you stress less and improve your mental wellness. She is a motivational speaker, published author and mental wellness specialist with information, products and books that are go to resources to help people reduce stress and find balance in their lives. Connect with Judy at DavisInspired.com or on Instagram @Judy.Davis55