Why Are You So Uncomfortable with Our Ordinariness?
In a world that glorifies success and celebrates being exceptional, to be ordinary has become something of a silent fear. Many of you harbour a deep discomfort with simply being enough as you are. You are almost haunted by the notion that you must leave a mark, achieve greatness, or in some way “prove yourself” to the world. But why is it so difficult to simply exist as you are, without the endless striving? Is it possible that ordinariness—an existence filled with humility, honesty, and compassion—might hold a kind of peace you’ve never known.
Who Said You Had to Be Special?
Your earliest memories often include someone telling you to “make something of yourself.” This idea that you should rise above the masses and achieve something extraordinary can feel like a family inheritance or a cultural norm. But it’s worth questioning: who planted that idea? Was it a well-meaning parent, a teacher, a mentor, or even society at large?
This notion, however empowering it may seem, can also set up a life of pressure. For many, the goal becomes striving for the extraordinary, and if you don’t quite measure up, you risk feeling like a failure. From a young age, you soak up the narrative that you must “make a difference” or “leave a legacy.” And as admirable as these ideas sound, they carry an implicit threat: And if you don’t?
This menacing warning, hanging in the background, can be a huge source of stress. You begin life wanting to discover the world and your unique place in it, but the weight of these expectations can end up overshadowing your genuine desires and joys.
Chasing a Distant Dream: Rich, Famous, Influential or Nothing
In an age where being wealthy, famous and wielding influence are more accessible—yet often more elusive than ever, it’s no surprise that many of you feel you’re somehow falling short. Social media has made it easier than ever to compare with others and amplify a sense of inadequacy. Every day you see curated glimpses of others’ lives, filled with accomplishments, luxury, and joy, and it becomes increasingly difficult to appreciate your own life without longing for more.
In conversation after conversation, people express a desire for something greater, whether it’s wealth, fame, or an idealized future in which there is recognition and adulation. But this yearning isn’t always paired with happiness. Rarely do you hear about the quiet joys or deep satisfaction that can come from simpler pursuits—yet those are often the most enduring sources of peace and contentment.
Why Weren’t You Taught That You Are Enough?
Discomfort with ordinariness is deeply rooted in a culture that prizes achievement (doing) over being. From the time you start school, you’re conditioned to strive, to win, to stand out. But what if you were taught from the beginning that who you are, as you are, is enough? This isn’t about discouraging growth or ambition; rather, it’s about teaching you to respect and appreciate your intrinsic worth.
Being enough means :-
allowing yourself to live according to your values, regardless of the world’s metrics for success,
appreciating the person you already are, your natural inclinations, limitations, and strengths,
And cultivating a profound sense of inner peace.
Who Are You Trying to Be, and at What Cost?
The drive to be extraordinary while motivating, comes at a huge cost. You end up spending years trying to fit into an idea of “success” that doesn’t align with your true self, sacrificing joy, health, and peace along the way. This constant striving can leave you disconnected from your own life and, ironically, from the people around you.
When you focus on meeting external standards, you’re less in touch with who you genuinely are and what you actually want. Are you trying to be someone else? Are you pursuing goals because they resonate with you, or because you believe they’ll bring you approval or validation?
The Pressure of Self-Imposed Standards and the Myth of Atlas
Once you adopt certain goals, the pressure to live up to them can become overwhelming. You become your own harshest critic, demanding more and more of yourself in an attempt to reach ever-elusive standards. This self-imposed stress can lead to burnout, anxiety, and even a sense of inadequacy if you don’t reach the heights you’ve imagined.
Like Atlas, you burden yourself with the weight of the world, convinced that you must carry it alone and never shrug. What if you could let go of the pressure to be something more than you are? By embracing the idea that you are enough, you can relieve yourself of the self-imposed weight and live a lighter, more authentic life.
Rediscovering the Joys of Ordinariness
There’s an unexpected freedom in embracing ordinariness. Being ordinary doesn’t mean being less; it means being real. It allows you to connect with others more genuinely and to experience life without the constant filter of striving and comparison. And in ordinariness, you can find joy in things we might otherwise overlook: a kind word, a quiet moment, or a peaceful walk.
- Humility: Embracing ordinariness requires humility, the recognition that you’re part of a greater whole, not above it. In humility, you’ll find a unique kind of power. You stop defining yourself by your achievements or possessions and start valuing your humanity and compassion.
- Honesty: Choosing to live authentically requires you to be honest about who you are and what you really want. When you stop pretending or living up to someone else’s idea of success, you can live more fully in your own truth. Honesty frees you from the need to prove yourself and lets you simply be.
- Kindness and Compassion: Embracing your own ordinariness allows you to be more compassionate with yourself and, in turn, with others. Instead of judging yourself harshly for perceived shortcomings, you can appreciate your efforts and give yourself grace. In doing so, you create a very rich internal world, which pours out in your interactions with others.
To Sum it Up
Ordinariness isn’t the absence of beauty or significance; it’s a quiet presence, a kind of strength that isn’t dependent on external approval. It’s in this gentle acceptance of yourself that you find real peace—a peace that doesn’t need accolades to feel fulfilled. When you let go of the need to be exceptional, you open ourselves up to the everyday joys of life, which, in the end, are what make life most meaningful.
Choosing ENOUGH isn’t about giving up; it’s about showing up. It’s about allowing yourself to be who you are, without pressure or pretense, and finding joy in that simple, honest existence. The journey to embrace ordinariness may be challenging in a culture that values more, but in this quiet state, you will discover your true selves and the enduring beauty of simply being enough.
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