There are so many things that people think others should be doing. Society displays stereotypes that we start to believe even if the truth is right in front of us, even if what feels right is right in front of us, we allow society to overrule. People think that at a certain age, you should have your career and life mapped out and have settled down with a family, while others think because you are connected in any way, that they have influence over your actions, thoughts, and beliefs. This can be intentional or unintentional but is partially based on the fact that we do not all mature chronologically. For example, just because a man is 40, doesn’t mean he knows how to treat women or manage his finances. We forget about life experiences and traumas that have forced us into the state we are in! We forget that we didn’t have a blueprint to eradicate the things we endured in life.
Society doesn’t define who we are but we do! Our experiences and ideas are what make us unique and define our character. This shapes and molds us for the future we are destined to have.
Society has a hard time accepting people for who they are and what they bring to the table, no matter how big or small. Society places a lot of stress and pressure on people’s lives. Society can make you forget the simple things you enjoy doing or the simple life, you loved to live. It can also make you feel like you are making a bad decision because others don’t agree with what you’re doing or because they try to force their insecurities, bad experiences, and disbeliefs onto you, when the truth is, everything isn’t for everyone so we won’t all have the same experiences. Society will keep your expectations high and your morale low.
Society will let you downtime, after time, after time again, and have no remorse about your feelings! Society will paint a beautiful chocolate cake with more tiers than you can imagine but when you bite into that cake, it’s filled with mud, sand, and dirt. Society makes you believe that all women should wear a size 5 in pants, 7 in shoes, have long hair and be light complexion and society makes you believe that that image is the only thing worth looking at in this world, it brings your self-esteem down! Society also makes single parents feel like they will never find love and true happiness again.
You need to get back to the root of what makes you happy. Think about those things you enjoy doing and people who bring you joy and fulfillment.
Here are some tips to help avoid the pressures of what society places on people as opposed to what brings you happiness and satisfaction:
- Don’t share your plans with everyone because everyone may not be happy for you; know and trust your audience
- Understand that you will not please everyone, do what’s best for you
- It’s okay to let people leave your life or you leave theirs, remember some people are seasonal
- Surround yourself with people who encourage you and support you in all aspects; Don’t surround yourself with people who are eager to hold you to your past mistakes or condemn you
- Accept the things you can’t change and move on
- Don’t surround yourself with people who are eager to hold you to your past mistakes or condemn you
- Take fasting breaks from people, social media, and electronic devices when you need to reunite with who you are
- Break generational curses and make your own traditions
- Don’t let people tell you who you are, tell them who you are
- Don’t lose yourself in work or any relationship, always practice self-care
- Pray for your mental, emotional and spiritual well-being daily!
Katrina S. Williams