Is what you’re
doing really worth it? Sometimes in the morning I think to myself, “what am I
doing, who am I doing this for, and is this really worth it?” It’s hard for
young girls to have these thoughts because they’re always in competition with
other girls, other guys, their family, their friends, their peers, the status
quo, and most importantly, themselves. After you’re done putting on your
make-up or picking out the perfect outfit, do you think… “Why am I doing this?
I don’t want to conform and be like everyone else, I am original.” But are you?
Are you really being yourself or are you just buying that $100 dollar shirt
because that’s what will make you feel on top and accepted?
We have these crazy
ideas of what perfection looks like that few could ever truly obtain. We think
that that’s what we are supposed to look, act, and dress like to be respected
or loved, but that’s not the case at all. It’s especially hard when you have so
much pressure around you to be this specific way, but then they tell you,
“don’t forget to be unique and stand out!” At the end of the day, it’s
important to remember why and who you’re doing these things for. We work so
hard to achieve these goals to lose 20 pounds, win a trophy, or get a
compliment on your hair, but nothing feels better than when your parents tell
you they’re proud of you or when you look into the eyes of someone you love or
when you help someone and are changing peoples’ lives. Those are the kinds of
things people should be working for, those are the things that matter.
We need to find the
beauty in imperfection. We should be trying to better ourselves, be happy, have
fun, and love. We should be enjoying life instead of working toward these set
standards because embracing all that life has to offer, and being genuinely
happy with yourself are the things that actually matter. These are the things
that will make you happy when you go to sleep at night. Stop worrying about
what other people think. Start being honest with yourself and working to be a
better person.
“I had this image of this trophy and me
accepting these awards and kinda training myself to be this champion and at the
end of the day when you go through all these things, is it worth it? I mean you
get this trophy, and you’re like I basically starved, I have neglected all of
the people that I love, I conformed to whatever everybody else thinks I should
be, and I have this trophy. What does that mean? The trophy represents all the
sacrifices I have made as a kid, all the time that I have lost, being on the
road and in the studios as a child, and I just want to blow that shit up. I
have a lot of awards and a lot of these things that are amazing and I worked my
ass off, I worked harder than probably anyone I know to get those things but
none of the things feels like when my child says mommy, know nothing feel like
when I look my husband in the eyes, nothing feels like when I am respected,
when I get on the stage and I see I am changing peoples lives, those are the
things that matter. And at this point in my life that’s what I am striving for
growth, love, happiness, fun, enjoy your life its short, that’s the message.”
–Beyonce