Our society is made up of many different people who come from different lives and backgrounds. People come from all over the world, and with that they also go through many struggles and issues that seemingly go unnoticed. So, why is that? It’s because in our society we pretend everything is alright and put together on the outside, when in reality on the inside it’s completely different. Who is this “they” that I’m talking about? It’s you and me. This “they” is your neighbour, the barista at your local Starbucks, your aunt or uncle, your teacher, your friend. Sometimes you would never know. We as a community need to become more aware of the people around us. We cannot continue to label people based on what they look like or what they wear or what they drive. We are all human beings. So, if we are all inherently the same, why do we constantly compare ourselves to each other?
In this day and age with social media blossoming into something that every one of us uses on a daily basis, comparing is a normal part of our daily lives. People can now show the world the highlights of their life without sharing the hard parts. They skip all the bad and go straight to the good. We hold what we see as the truth when in reality it’s the complete opposite. Instagram and Twitter for example, encourage so much creativity, stretching the boundaries of how technology can impact our society. It celebrates beauty that can be captured all around the world through the eyes of one human being. But at the same time, it also has the ability to hide certain parts of an individual’s life that I feel should also be shared. In this generation, the phrases “she’s so much prettier than me” or “I wish I had their life it looks perfect” are constant things people say in conversations. No, I can guarantee their life is not perfect, no one’s life is. We as a generation and as a society need to see that everyone goes through hardships. We need to be thankful for what we do have and the possibilities that everyone can achieve in the future.
Sure, I’m not perfect. I might see someone that has a really nice lifestyle; I might want it in that moment. But instead, I need to realize that I have a loving family I wouldn’t change for the world. I have a roof over my head; I’m able to go to university and experience living on my own. I am able to buy groceries, I have a car to drive, I have amazing friends and a boyfriend who loves me, which are some things that other people don’t have. That doesn’t mean I don’t have my fair share of problems, but I can’t dwell on the bad when I have so much to be thankful for. What I’m trying to show you is that, no matter how alone you may feel or how hard you think your life is, you’re actually not alone. Even though on the outside you may think that everyone else’s lives are problem free, it’s really not like that and that’s actually okay.
I feel that as a generation we need to be open in talking and sharing the hardships in our lives and coming to the realization that everyone is the same no matter our skin colour or the languages we speak. When we rely less on impressing each other and more on comforting and supporting each other, I guarantee our society could transform for the better. Please don’t only value what someone else has, be yourself and be grateful for what you DO have. I know it might seem hard to do, and believe me sometimes it is. But, I know through experience that is the only way to let go of all the negativity you may feel and truly be happy for the life that was given to you.