As humans, we often portray ourselves through our clothes, our haircut, our style of beard, piercings, tattoos, through what we do or how we act. Through our possessions, our looks or our skills. But at home, in our comfort zones, all those layers and masks come off and we are all the same. We are all simple normal humans, all sensitive beings that feel insecure – sometimes more and sometimes less.
No one is inferior and no one is superior. Remember this the next time you judge someone or also if you feel intimidated by someone.
The truth is, that at some points of our lives, each of us feels ”broken“ in some way or another and most people will think they have some kind of problem and are different from other “normal” people. Many times, when I met people, my first impression of them based on their expression of themselves to the outside world did not match what was going on inside of them. Everyone has their story of feeling “broken” in some way.
My thoughts on this: Give yourself some slack and don’t be so hard on yourself. Going through this human life it is difficult not to have been “broken” in some kind of way. We work through these broken parts each at our own time. Don’t create boundaries between you and others but instead work on creating a sense of community and a sense of sharing. Most people you meet are in great need of affirmation, validation, and appreciation. Give and receive. Share some love.
Some of you might have depression, anxiety or are highly sensitive – and you might think something is wrong with you that you have to fix. When you start connecting and talking to people, you will realize that everyone has some sort of “problem” or maybe a few. What I think is that we are just human, and every one of us is different.
We have lost connection to others, feel isolated and identify too much and compare ourselves with that we see on Facebook and Instagram.
There is a nice story that reflects part of this. It is about women but is valid just as much for men too: It is a story about a village where all the women washed clothes together down by the river. When they all got washing machines, there was a sudden outbreak of depression and no one could figure out why. It wasn’t the washing machines. It was the absence of time spent doing things together. It was the absence of community. We have gotten so independent. We’re “fine”, we tell ourselves even when in reality we’re depressed, we’re overwhelmed, we’re lonely, and we’re hurting. “We’re fine, we’re just too busy right now”, we say when days, weeks, months, and years go by without connecting with friends. I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m fine. It’s so easy to say even when it’s not true.
We feel lonely in this world where we are connected to everyone all the time (online) and all we need is real human connection and interaction. When I travel for long periods at a time, I feel this too. Not everyone I meet is as open and authentic and wants to talk to you. Small talk, yes. Showing you their outside portrait of themselves, yes. Really opening up to you, no. But then sometimes you meet people who do open up and you instantly don’t feel lonely anymore. You will realize that others and their lives are more similar to yours than you thought.
How great would it be, if everyone showed their true colors a bit more? Being more authentic and vulnerable and sharing their struggles, their journey, and their raw self. I think we would make some beautiful connections, feel better and more “normal”.
Don’t judge yourself or others. Don’t be too hard on yourself or others. Don’t hide and pretend you are fine. Share with others and start living.
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Thank you for you’re honest words. I can totally relate to that. It’s so beautiful if more people allow themselves to be open and honest about their feelings.
Thank you for empowering that it is ok to be vulnerable x
Great travel blog X xx