I just had one of those weeks where I poured my entire being into working toward something — only to find myself sitting at my desk, frantically refreshing my inbox, hoping for a message that congratulates me, tells me I’ve done a good job, soothes my imposter syndrome, and makes me believe my existence is worth something.
This was a good read. It’s not easy to come across as a beginner, maybe a bit of a try-hard at things you love to do in front of an audience that is attuned to only sharing and cheering wins. This is when I remind myself that most people devote only some seconds in the day to judge you and then move on with whatever monologue is going on in their head. I’m ok with that :)
What happened with your brother, something quite similar happened with me a week ago. So I thought.
There was this quote (not exactly this but something similar)- You are not entitled to your results, you are only entitled to your work.
There’s layers to this but the gist is clear.
Also, i disagree with you on the mediocrity part. I know I’m committing a crime everytjme i try putting the things in my head to paper and unable to do so(and not for lack of trying), i don’t hate my piece, nor do i believe its mediocre.
Now, to the world it may be so, but no, not to me, that was my best work right there, no shying away from it.
In the end, thankyou for writing this. I was thinking about something like this since the last week now, and have reached my own conclusion, not far away from what is written here.
Mediocrity is very often a sign of failure in our society ! Either you are great or bad at it .. it puzzles me that without the extremes there is no barometer to measure against and what if i dont want to compare at all , it’s tough to exist in ones bubble ! I resonate with your piece a lot
very relatable and not going to give you any advice since there is no dearth of it. All I hope is for you to have enough strength to deal with such situations and never stop writing about it :)
Wonderful read, Prakriti! Couldn't relate more. Being the eldest daughter myself; I have lived this, have impractically chased perfectionism all my life. The ever-changing expectations of the society due to which the crippling self-worth somehow one ends up having, is unbearably sad. Realisation of this fact is important to start taking those baby steps in the opposite direction, I think. It's liberating.
This was a good read. It’s not easy to come across as a beginner, maybe a bit of a try-hard at things you love to do in front of an audience that is attuned to only sharing and cheering wins. This is when I remind myself that most people devote only some seconds in the day to judge you and then move on with whatever monologue is going on in their head. I’m ok with that :)
What happened with your brother, something quite similar happened with me a week ago. So I thought.
There was this quote (not exactly this but something similar)- You are not entitled to your results, you are only entitled to your work.
There’s layers to this but the gist is clear.
Also, i disagree with you on the mediocrity part. I know I’m committing a crime everytjme i try putting the things in my head to paper and unable to do so(and not for lack of trying), i don’t hate my piece, nor do i believe its mediocre.
Now, to the world it may be so, but no, not to me, that was my best work right there, no shying away from it.
In the end, thankyou for writing this. I was thinking about something like this since the last week now, and have reached my own conclusion, not far away from what is written here.
Mediocrity is very often a sign of failure in our society ! Either you are great or bad at it .. it puzzles me that without the extremes there is no barometer to measure against and what if i dont want to compare at all , it’s tough to exist in ones bubble ! I resonate with your piece a lot
Yes, exactly we find the Good Art between the Bad.
Plus, Good and Bad is subjective. so, it’s even more of a tossup.
very relatable and not going to give you any advice since there is no dearth of it. All I hope is for you to have enough strength to deal with such situations and never stop writing about it :)
Reading this after posting my own essay few hours ago where I felt some of the same emotions, this piece really resonated.
This was a lovely and relatable read, especially as someone trying to overcome self-imposed perfectionism.
It resonated with me so well Prakriti! Beautifully articulated. 🤌
Wonderful read, Prakriti! Couldn't relate more. Being the eldest daughter myself; I have lived this, have impractically chased perfectionism all my life. The ever-changing expectations of the society due to which the crippling self-worth somehow one ends up having, is unbearably sad. Realisation of this fact is important to start taking those baby steps in the opposite direction, I think. It's liberating.
Lovely read, Prakriti.