The perils of being average

What if we aren’t all special?

I saw a tweet a few days ago that said we are all special, individual and deep online.

I laughed when I read it because it made me address a dark secret I’ve hidden for a long time, that for the first time I am able to share;

I am average.

There, I said it.

The problem with the internet (not something I often say) is that it allows us to dip in and out of different elements of our personalities, without the worry of seeming unstable or the questioning of those who actually know us ‘IRL.’

Among the artists, the writers, the comedians and musicians it’s easy to assume a role. You too are an artist, remember that copy of a Van Gogh you did when you were ten? Your Gran loved that shit. You’re an artist, you just haven’t painted in a while!

Everyone always laughs at your jokes at the office, so I guess you are a comedian. Quick, post another joke before the validation of the last five tweets wears off and someone actually asks if you have any YouTube content!

The point is, not everyone online is talented, self made or moreish.

Some people are plain boring, some people don’t have much to say. Some people simply just follow, some people have a go at pretending they’re a lot more than than they really are, while basking in ‘friendships’ of these internet Gods.

To those people, I say this.

We, my friends, are average.

We might not have the best selfies, jokes or pictures. We may not always have the wittiest responses and Instagram filter choices but damnit, we are okay.

Embrace your ability to be average.

Accept that your jokes are rubbish and not in that clever, anti-joke millennial way…

Laugh about the fact your art looks like you stuck a pencil in your arse and drew a picture.

Yes, your face is weird. Yes people have noticed. They might not mean it when they say you’re beautiful but you are a living, breathing human with so much more to offer than a selfie. No, I don’t know what, that bit is for you to work out.

Enjoy the fact that people are better than you at things, they have the pressure of success. You just have the glory of enjoyment and the motivational material to improve.

Lastly, know that you might not be the best but you are enough.

Enjoy being enough.

Read a poem, look at a cloud, compliment someone. You might not be perfect but at least you’re not a slug.