Photo by freestocks on Unsplash
Do you think that there is something intrinsically wrong with being ‘average’, ‘ordinary’ or ‘normal’?
Last week there was an item on the BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour programme about embracing and appreciating normality. It was about being happy with being average. We have always had that idea of ‘keeping up with the Joneses’, but since the advent of social media the concept has really taken hold of everyone being richer, thinner, more powerful, abetter parent, more successful, than you.
We are all supposed to want to live extraordinary lives, to desire certain things, and if we aren’t striving every day to achieve that…there must be something wrong with us.
As the owner of a small business, I am bombarded by emails promising to show me how to get hundreds of new clients or increase my monthly income to six figures. But none of that is important to me. It is not a marker of ‘success’ to me.
Then there are the social media posts depicting apparently amazing lifestyles with mansions, fast cars, international travel- the trappings of success. The posts often come with the promise that if you do THIS you can have that too. Does any of that really make you happy? Is it even a good marketing ploy?
Stop Comparing
‘Comparison is the thief of joy’ is often attributed to Theodore Roosevelt, but it is from the Bible, 1 Corinthians 4:7. Apparently 10% of our thoughts are involved with comparing ourselves to others. It does make a difference who you compare yourself with of course.
If you compare your fitness with the fittest person you know, you will be disappointed. If you compare yourself with the unfittest person you know you might feel better. But it probably means you are of average fitness.
Trying to keep up with everyone else or the latest trends and ideas can be exhausting. What if you were to focus on being content with who you are and what you really want? Sometimes we have no idea what it is that makes us happy, we don’t stop to think about it.
Ordinary people can of course do extraordinary things -start charities, support their friends and neighbours, contribute to their communities in many ways. It is often the case that people who do amazing things don’t talk about it, don’t post on social media and don’t seek outside recognition.
Because when you are content with who you are and have enough to live comfortably, that is a successful life. Abundance doesn’t mean having a lot, it means having what you need to be content- good health, a safe home, a supportive social circle and financial security.
If you are ready to explore what a successful life would look like for you, my inner circle groups are open for new members in September. You can come along in person to the Newcastle or Croydon meetings or join a new online only circle. Find out more at https://louisecardon.com/halcyon-inner-circle
