Appearances matter more than reality. The chase for likes and fleeting validation has become the norm. This is the sad truth that prevails in our society. Somewhere along the way, we've forgotten what it means to be real. We've forgotten that being true to ourselves is the only way to find genuine connection and fulfillment.
Stop being fake! Stop trying to be someone you're not! Stop doing things just to grab attention! And for fuck's sake, stop tearing others down just to feel better about yourself!
Take a moment to ask yourself: Why? Why do you act this way? Why do we hide behind filters, gossip, and performative acts of kindness? Why do we put others down instead of lifting them up? The truth is, many of us feel trapped. Trapped by expectations, by insecurity, and by the fear of being judged if we show who we really are. But here's the thing and the actual truth: no one wins in this game of pretense.
Pretending to be something you're not will make you feel exhausted. You are wearing a mask that grows heavier with every passing day. Sure, it might win you a few moments of admiration or applause, but at what cost? You lose touch with yourself. You trade your peace for fleeting approval, and the worst part is, deep down, you know it.
When we base our worth on external validation, we build our lives on shaky ground. The compliments feel hollow because we know they're not for who we truly are. The comparisons never end because there will always be someone "better" at pretending. And in our quest to protect our fragile egos, we lash out at othersācriticizing, gossiping, or sabotagingājust to feel a little less insecure.
But what if we chose a different path? What if we stopped pretending and started living?
We need to start understanding that authenticity is freedom. It's standing in your truth and knowing that you are enough as you are. It's daring to show your flaws, your quirks, and your vulnerabilities, not as weaknesses but as proof of your humanity.
The only way the door to genuine connection opens is when you are authentic, when you let go of the need to impress. They don't want the polished, curated version of you; they want the real you. And when you show up as yourself, you give others permission to do the same.
Imagine a world where we didn't have to compete for attention. Where we didn't have to tear each other down just to feel okay. Imagine a world where kindness, empathy, and inclusivity were the normānot the exception. That world starts with you.
Kindness is perhaps my biggest strength, and in the eyes of others my biggest weakness, as this is how the world portrays it. But from my own experience, it takes a lot of strength to be kind, especially when at each taken step you are faced with negativity. Being kind doesn't mean tolerating bad behavior or ignoring your boundaries. It means choosing to see humanity in others, even when it's hard. It means recognizing that everyone is fighting their own battles just like you.
Empathy is the antidote to judgment. When you take the time to understand someone's perspective, you realize how much you have in common. You stop seeing them as "other" and start seeing them as part of the same messy, beautiful human experience. And in that shared understanding, there is no room for hate.
You don't have to make grand gestures to be real and kind. Actually, it is the small, everyday choices that matter most. It's holding the door for someone, even when you're in a rush. It's listening without interrupting. It's giving credit where it's due. It's resisting the urge to gossip and instead choosing to speak words that build up, not tear down.
These acts seem insignificant, but they create ripples. A kind word can change someone's day. An act of inclusion can change someone's life. And the more we practice these behaviors, the more they spread. Before we know and realize it, those ripples become waves of change.
But, to be able to become authentic, we need to stop being afraid of judgment, as, in my opinion, this is one of its biggest barriers. We worry too much about what others will think if we speak our truth or make mistakes. But, I came to understand that most people are too busy worrying about themselves to judge you as harshly as you imagine, and even if they do, it's on them, not you.
You don't need everyone's approval to live a fulfilling life. The only approval you truly need is your own. To reclaim your power, you must stop seeking validation from others. You stop bending to fit someone else's mold and start creating a life that feels true to you!
And when you start becoming authentic, there is another thing that happens. You start becoming more inclusive. For many this is just a buzzword (what society made it). But to me, this should be a way of life. Inclusivity for me is about creating space for everyone, regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances. It's about valuing and cherishing diversity, not just tolerating it!
When we embrace inclusivity, our world expands. We get to learn from perspectives that challenge our assumptions. We grow in empathy and understanding. And most importantly, we help build a community where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
But to truly become an inclusive person, in body, mind, and soul, you need to start accepting not others but yourself. When we accept and become excited about who you are, flaws and all, we become more accepting of others. We stop seeing differences as threats and start seeing them as opportunities to learn and connect.
Our world doesn't need more people pretending to have it all together. It needs more people willing to be real. It needs people who choose kindness over cruelty, empathy over judgment, and inclusion over division.
You don't have to be perfect to make a difference. You just have to be willing. Willing to let go of the mask. Willing to face your insecurities. Willing to choose love, even when it's easier to hate.
So, stop pretending. Stop trying to be someone you're not. Stop doing things just to get attention or to feel superior. Instead, start being kind. Start being inclusive. Start showing up as your true self, flaws and all.
Because when you do, you don't just change your lifeāyou change the world.
Thank you for reading!
Have a blessed day!š¹
Eduardš¹
