If you’re anything like me, you’ve noticed how there has been a significant jump recently in how an individual’s productivity has been directly linked to their self-worth in media and professional settings.
From celebrities in pop culture to the student that sits next to me in my seminar, it feels like everywhere I look, I’m surrounded by people who are spending their days successfully finishing their to-do lists while maintaining a social life and getting a healthy amount of sleep.
In theory, it makes sense to want to be productive. Being productive gives you a sense of purpose, accomplishment and structure in your life.
But I’ve found that as time goes on, productivity has become less of an accomplishment and more of an expectation. Academics, jobs and even hobbies have grown to feel like a competition of who can have the most responsibilities, while executing them all flawlessly.
I’ve spent countless hours trying to figure out the best way to pack my days to the brim with activities, assignments and jobs just to make myself feel like each day held value — that I held value. I would take on leadership roles that I truly had no passion for and volunteer to take on tasks that I had no time to do to prove a point. But to whom? My peers? My professors? Myself?
At the beginning of every day, I started by placing expectations on myself that I knew I couldn’t live up to. At the end of every day, I beat myself up for not winning a competition against unrealistic expectations.
I knew that something had to change.
Being kind to yourself is one of the hardest things to do, but it’s necessary to relieve yourself of the bubble of depreciation that has surrounded you.
I’ll admit that I’m not the poster child for self-appreciation, despite my efforts to change that. However, each day I make a stride forward in forgiving myself for small mistakes and recognizing that taking care of myself is time well spent.
Changing your perception on how you treat yourself is a constant learning curve but it is rewarding in every way, shape and form. There will always be bad days, but allowing yourself to take breaks and respecting your own boundaries is a great way to start your journey of being more kind to yourself.
Spend time learning about yourself and what makes you happy, not just what will look impressive on paper. Try and recognize when you’re negatively comparing yourself to others. Instead of focusing on what you did wrong, remember what you did right.
Especially in this age, it can feel like our existence is based on the quality of the grades we receive or the number of hours we work, but it’s up to you what aspects of yourself you let define you.
What you accomplish is just a small part of the puzzle that makes you who you are, but all the other pieces are just as important. I implore you to reflect on what other pieces complete your puzzle. Your kindness, dedication, humor — the possibilities are endless.
In a world where there are people that will bring you down and compare you to others, don’t let yourself be one of them. Be your own biggest fan, not your biggest critic.
