Put on a Pedestal (2023 Rewrite)
Imagine a world where everyone treats you as "Little Miss Perfect".
Born pretty, polite, and gifted, the world treats you as if you could do no wrong. Placed on a pedestal, you're taught to look down on everyone that could never amount to all that you are.
Yet, you don't remember a time where you've done anything to earn this. You don't believe that you're actually pretty, polite, or gifted, but instead, that you've somehow tricked the world into believing that you are.
You don't know what to do with the power you were seemingly unrightfully given because you see the pain it causes those around you. After all, no one's self worth survive's being compared to "Little Miss Perfect".
Even "Little Miss Perfect" herself.
The Life of “Little Miss Perfect”
I never had to work hard for other people's affection. In fact, it was handed to me without even trying. Just because I had light skin, a petite body, and twinkling eyes, I was treated like I deserved more kindness than my peers.
Add the fact that I was blessed with intelligence, and I was basically untouchable.
This was mainly reflected within my family. Out of over 40 members of aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. , I was the only one that looked and talked the way I did. Consequentially, my cousins were compared to me.
"Why can't you be more like her?" their parents would ask. Then, I'd be forced to watch as my existence played on the self esteem of those that I love.
I hated being compared to everyone else. I saw the resentment it created in those around me. What people thought were a compliment towards me actually made me want to hide under a blanket and never be perceived again.
I didn't want my existence to be the cause of other people's lack of worth. I didn't sign up to play the part of the girl that makes other people feel shitty about themselves.
And the worst part about it was, I both didn't want the role and was terrified of what would happen if it was actually taken away.
Being treated like I was somehow better than the rest was the only world that I had ever known.
What would happen if I got fat, rude and lost my twinkle? How would the world treat me then? Problem was, I already thought I was all of those things. You see, in my eyes, I was:
way fatter than I actually was (because body dysmorphia is a thing for everybody people)
believed that feeling any negative emotion immediately put me in the wrong for inconveniencing others
and had no twinkle and no fucking idea what people were talking about when they'd mention it
The Curse of “Little Miss Perfect”
The expectations of who I was supposed to be were already set so high. I had no room to fail. And it showed in the ways people reacted anytime I did express how hard life can get sometimes.
“You can’t be insecure about your body, you’re skinny anyway.”
“How could school be stressful for you, you get good grades?”
“There’s no way you understand what social anxiety is like, everyone likes you.”
It's like I wasn't allowed to be effected by my problems because no one perceived them to be as big or as real as their's. So, eventually, I learned to put on a smile and never take it off.
I had no right to complain anyway. So, I stopped.
Society has you believing that it's so great, being deemed as "fitter" than the rest. Who wouldn't want to live their life on a pedestal, looking down on all the others, free from the scorn of society?
But, it actually doesn't work that way. Whether you're looking down at the rest of them or up at the idolized, the imbalances and judgements are painfully clear.
Having unrealistic beauty standards ultimately hurts everybody, even when you fit into them.
Assuming that some people are smarter than the rest hurts everybody, even when you're one of the smart ones.
Only accommodating the most extroverted people in the room hurts everybody, even when you could manage to show enthusiasm.
We live in a world that's only suitable for certain, many times uncontrollable, characteristics. And no matter which side of the coin you fall on, it results in tearing down your sense of self worth.
I was born on a pedestal, and I could tell you that all it left me with was a lifetime of imposter syndrome, a loss of my right to struggle, and a fear of losing it all.
The grass isn't greener on the other side. The world's just shitty for everybody. So, let's change that.
Petition to Remove “Perfect” from the Dictionary
Imagine a world where there's no such thing as perfect.
Everyone's born expected to have a completely individual and unique life experience that will add to the story of humanity.
Where differences aren't just celebrated, but understood. And one's journey to finding themselves isn't so lonely.
Where everyone could be exactly who they are without any standard to live up to.
What a beautiful world that would be.
If I wasn't blessed enough to be born into it, I guess we're just gonna have to create it.
Enjoyed This Article?
Leave your thoughts in the comments below to further unpack what it’s like to live up to unrealistic standards. Your comments will be read and dissected in the upcoming podcast episode for this article. Share this article with friends and family that you think will resonate with its message and help me to push the conversation forward. Be sure to follow me on socials to see your thoughts shouted out on my page and stay connected with all new content for The Hustle Legacy.
I can’t wait for us to be friends! Let’s empower others with the courage to embrace their identities and change the global narrative, one story at a time 💜💎
