Mediocrity needs an image change. Because pressure to perform can make you sick in the long run
Mediocrity usually comes with somethingassociated. Because if something is mediocre - so the prejudice goes - it wasn't enoughput in to make it good. Objects are described as mediocre when they are of inferior quality, and when people are described as mediocre, it is usually because they lack somethingor ambition is assumed.
Mediocrity has nothing to do with laziness
Some psychologists even assume that mediocrity is not in the least a lazy comfort zone, but on the contrary a state in which people can grow without pressure and at their own pace. So if you don't know whether you change your bed linen often enough, or are annoyed that you don't", then we have good news - because it's time for an image change from mediocrity!
The truth is: Most of us live mediocre lives, and extreme success is not part of everyday life. And that's not a bad thing. The problem is that we live in a society that celebrates excessive growth and even makes it the norm - whether in the area of the economy or the personal performance of individuals. And the idea that only the best is enough takes root early on.
Many people learn at school that mediocrity is bad
Many of our prejudices against mediocrity can even be traced back to childhood. Be it through comics and films that celebrate the concept of superheroes, or through the reward system at school: we are taught from a young age that a successful life is about growing beyond yourself. Psychologist and wellbeing coach Lee Chambers says this: “Society equates success with performance and excellence. Because we spend a large part of our youth and education being measured and constantly comparing ourselves with others.”
There is a simple but sobering reason for this: “The smartest, the sportiest and those who have the modernare preferred in our society,” says Lee. Later in life, we tend to develop negative feelings if we are not ahead in our environment.
Social media increases the daily pressure to perform – no more comparisons
Life on social media also fuels feelings of inadequacy if we don't consistently experience shining moments in our lives. And what's more: Instagram constantly shows us a multitude of potentially unlived paths in life, which makes us constantly doubt our own decisions. This can have a very negative psychological effect on our self-perceptions, says Lee Chambers: “The highlights on social media have an extreme impact because they focus on the extraordinary without taking reality into account,” he says. This distorts our perception so much that excellence is celebrated as the new normal and mediocrity is perceived as inadequate, says Chambers.
In “wellness culture” even sleep becomes a competition
In addition to our upbringing and social media, the, which has been booming for a few years now, impacting what we perceive as “normal”. Himselfis now competitive. Where everywhere someone claims it's the bestand or people constantly want to surpass themselves in who can get up earlier, even an area of life that is intended for relaxation has become a competition. In times when billion-dollar companies make money by selling sleep apps where we can compare our sleep score with that of our friends or beat our yesterday's self, we are told that we are doing everything right even when we sleep to have to.
Experts advise accepting your own mediocrity
Now some experts point out that accepting mediocrity is actually the key to happiness, rather than constantly trying to excel in every area of your life. Always being the best at work, the most popular friend, the eternal hunt for the dream house/car/vacation - we can't keep that up in the long run.
For psychologist Kamalyn Kaur, for example, accepting that “good enough” really is good enough brings inner peace. “Once you accept that you are good enough, you stop judging yourself, criticizing yourself, and trying to please others,” says Kaur.
Without constant comparison, we not only live less stress but are also physically healthier
Dr. Marianne Trent, clinical psychologist at the Good Thinking Psychological Service, explains: “Perfection is an unattainably high standard. The pursuit of this releases stress hormones such as cortisol in us and can evenlead. A more relaxed approach to our performance can therefore have a positive impact on our health and well-being - theimprove, reduce tension and give us more ease.”
But how do you practice more self-acceptance?
It can be a good first step to not accept mediocrity but actually celebrate it. Had a mediocre day at work? Why not go out with friends anyway and toast to it. Didn't get a promotion? Celebrate that you made it through the year! And: Maybe be particularly careful if you're trying to get a new app that's yourswith that of friends - and ask yourself whether such a tool really helps you or just adds more pressure. Just be aware of people on social media, which make you feel inadequate. We don’t need this constant pressure to perform in our feed or in our lives.
This article comes from our GLAMOR colleagues in the UK.
