Lucas F.
Photography by Emma Joseph
If you’re reading this, it is ok to struggle.
Living in a world that is constantly demanding excellence from us, it is difficult to admit vulnerability, since it often feels similar to admitting defeat or failure. However, it is important to recognize that it is in our struggle that we can find the strength to overcome difficult times.
I have struggled with feelings that I think resonate with many others such as imposter syndrome, relentless comparison to others, and the constant pressure from outside sources such as social media. However, I am happy to have had these experiences since they have taught me important lessons about embracing our imperfections.
I grew up in a family with two other brothers, as the middle child. I often would compare myself and my achievements against theirs, which was very negative for my mental health. Comparing myself to them, I always felt this sense of inadequacy and that somehow I was falling short of what my friends and family expected of me. My story is not unique, though; almost everyone consciously or unconsciously compares themselves to others. This measurement of myself to others hurt my self-worth but also indoctrinated this belief that I am undeserving of my success. The pattern described is far more common than we think, and if you resonate with what I have said at all, you are not alone. The issue with imposter syndrome is that it thrives on isolation, and it often pushes us away from others, just making us feel worse and worse.
I think that social media nowadays has only made these feelings exponentially worse. These platforms that promote connectivity just lead us down a path of comparison and self-doubt. It is important to understand that social media is just small snapshots of someone's real life, and they are rarely someone's true authentic life. This ability to scroll and see how “perfect” everyone else’s life is can inadvertently echo our inadequacies rather than celebrate diversity and authenticity.
Despite the numerous pressures of life, I’ve come to realize that it is ok to accept that you will not always be perfect. I have also started to work on believing that my imperfections are not an indicator of failure but make me unique. Embracing my imperfections has helped liberate me from so much stress and anxiety and helped me appreciate life much more than I had in the past.
I also want you to realize that getting to this point was not a smooth path, and it still isn’t. I often still have these bad thoughts creep in but I feel that I am now better able to handle and reduce these emotions rather than spiral down in despair. As you continue to navigate through your own life after reading this I hope you remember that our lives are not measured by our achievements compared to others but it lies in our resilience and ability to face struggles and come out stronger. I hope that you can embrace the vulnerabilities you may have and truly believe that it is ok to struggle.
Sincerely,
Lucas F., Wake Forest
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