Project 366 / 40 – The look at me brigade and change

Self improvement is a constant hot topic BUT every social media channel, be it Facebook, Instagram or YouTube seems to be over-populated by the “look at me” brigade. I have a few shallow friends who live in this delusional bubble, broadcasting how perfect their lives are in Truman Show style. Those closest know that it’s not true but for everyone else it must be somewhat depressing.

Depressing as they probably feel that they are unable to maintain such a perfect life but ignorant to the fact that it’s just an illusion.

I have a friend who has a bit of an addictive personality (or what I like to call just weak). When they’re drinking they justify it by saying things like “life is too short to be boring”, “jees, let your hair down every now and again will you” or “you work hard enough, it’s not all work and no play you know”.

A month later they’re on the wagon and preaching how bad alcohol is, quoting health stats, toxins, cancer, hangovers and every other scare mongering tactic they can use to try and persuade you (but in reality themselves) not to drink.

Then there are the exercise fads. Now I know that January is the big gym sign-up month but what is it with everyone wanting to become either a personal trainer or a nutritionist (which actually means “a person who studies or is an expert in nutrition”, not someone who can actually just stomach a plate of quinoa). 2 months later and they are back on the pizza and beer, reverting to standard habits.

My advice? Change one bad habit. Compete with just yourself. Compare yourself to your younger self and no-one else. Don’t be hard on yourself but work on your self-discipline and if you fail just accept it and then use it to motivate yourself.