Balancing authenticity and aspiration
The old advice was, ‘Fake it until you make it.’ Now people share more authentic flawed experiences with the world. That’s how it appears online. We tell the world about our struggles and disappointments, lifting audiences up with hope. We celebrate the simple small successes. But we also want to present versions of ourselves that can succeed with a broader ‘public.’ That’s where our communication is often directed in this era of social media - to a version of a public. How can we be ourselves (however that is defined) and also present the best of what we want to be?
I believe we now need balance. Share some of life’s difficulties but not all. Express your goals and motivation when also showing the real hustle. Reveal something but not everything. Balance looks different for each individual - especially based on how much online presence we have and who we are connecting with.
I was open about some personally crushing experiences in recent years. I wrote my views on social media when a state border remained ‘closed’ for months in the pandemic. I revealed the impact it had on my own life. But I took a long time to provide a glimpse into my romantic life (or lack of it). I had no intention of over-sharing. But sometimes the only way to be ‘real’ involves telling it how it is. Sometimes.
How did I find the courage to share my reality? I pushed through the self-imposed feelings of shame. I also waited until I understood my situation enough to share it calmly and hopefully. It wasn’t about complaining. What value does that bring? There is much more benefit in sharing how a loss happened and I shall overcome.
Also, acknowledge the gradual transitions and journeys. I am a work in progress. We all are. I have not reached a magical destination of perfection. My life is not exactly how I would have preferred because that’s how the world is. I believe some followers and friends want to know where I want to end up and how I will get there.
We can aspire to a greater existence. And share these hopes. We can reveal our journeys towards those destinations in a constructive way.
Share an authentic journey towards aspirational goals. Image: MSW
