Every so often there are some words that get plenty of clout, recognition, and overuse and let’s be real, it gets annoying. This here word, the a-word is what we call it, it is one we genuinely live by, aaaand it isn’t asshole. I must admit though, many that use it could very well be considered assholes, but I’m deviating.
Authenticity is it! It is the a-word, and it is what we are in dire need of more quality and quantity of. Brands, people, and organizations alike are constantly “trying” to be authentic, but that’s not how you do it. Please say you agree with me?!
When I think of the word authenticity I am immediately bombarded with the lack thereof. I think of the personas being built and projected every time I scroll on my IG timeline. It’s the influencers, the so-called celebrities, the wanna-be entrepreneurs, and the lackluster approach to realness. I don’t know about you, but a sista and a brotha over here are left confused most times. How in the hell did we really get to a place where it is simpler to be phony, than to be real?
I just spoke to a Gen Z the other day, and they mentioned “BBL” in a conversation. I was immediately lost. Like the old lady grandma, I had to ask, “What the heck does BBL stand for?” Y’all, I wasn’t kidding. Apparently, I haven’t consumed enough Tiktok videos.
Either way, my newfound Gen Z friends let me know what it meant. Like, when did Brazilian Butt Lifts get so popular to the point of needing an acronym?? This is where we are in life.
We are in the phase of too much limelight having the ability to cause stupidity, and most people that are gaining more followers, likes, and engagement are relying on their looks, not their talent, skillset, or knowledge base. The captions we read are like headlines of fraudulence. Sad.
In several recent studies, teenage and young adult users who spend the most time on Instagram, Facebook and other platforms were shown to have a substantially (from 13 to 66 percent) higher rate of reported depression than those who spent the least time. – Child Mind Institute
This is incredibly traumatizing, but not surprising. We are raising kids battling with their authentic selves, and having to emulate what they see on social media in order to be relevant. Not good.
I mean what happened to the simplicity of enjoying a good meal without taking a high res, technique-ridden photo? Where did the time go when you could sit alone ANYWHERE and not pick up your phone to fill your time to finger scroll? Remember the times when the only way you would know if someone likes you was if they told you verbally, in written form, by teasing you, or by pulling your hair? Yeah, we are FAR BEYOND that, my friends. These influencers have millions of followers to DM them, comment about their asses (BBLs), and like all their pictures at once (stalker style). Don’t forget there are people out here making tens of thousands of dollars promoting brands by posing and looking pretty. I ain’t hatin’ – I’m just saying.
We are in need of some longevity classes. Plastic surgery can only do so much, and last time I checked the only thing to make yo insides be right is your mental health coupled with positive vibes, with a side of a lot of love.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but just like money doesn’t buy happiness, neither does an outer appearance or anything that may help to magnify the veneer. You have to feel good on the inside to reflect the amazingness that is life on the outside.
Not to mention, you may look good now, but permanently, life will catch up to you, and what you see now, WILL NOT BE WHAT YOU GET LATER.
In the words of my loving husband, Logan – “In today’s world it seems so much of people’s lives and experiences are forced, if not totally manufactured. A wise man once told me “people try way too hard to be cool”. When that happens people often miss out on the most compelling, interesting, and exciting opportunities for experiences in their lives. Most often, these experiences can be right before us, but are often overlooked and missed in lieu of gimmicks and mass-produced types of experiences that miss the mark.”
Enjoy some experiences.
So put your phone down. Hang with some good soul-nurturing friends. Experience the belly laughs you want to run from because your stomach is hurting so good, but oh so bad. Experience a fruitful life that has nothing to do with what you have to offer on the surface, and have so much fun in the moment, that you forget to take a picture.
I challenge you – show the world who you really are, what is unique to only you, and what you have to offer the world.
