I’m pretty sure everyone is just faking their way through life.

In a world of social media, it’s easy to believe that you are the only faker out there.

When all you see is a filtered version of what the person wants you to see, you’re bound to start believing that you’re the only one who is a hot mess.  

Most people don’t take pictures of their messy house, dirty laundry, and crying kids… who wants to see that? Ok me, I want to see that.

I want to let you in on a big secret…no one knows what they’re doing, we’re all taking it day by day, and that is OK!

I’m fairly convinced we tell ourselves that we need to fake it because we’ve developed a narrative that goes something like this “If I’m a whiner no one will my friend” or “If they knew I was a mess they wouldn’t want to talk to me” or “I don’t want to bother people”.

It’s true, no one likes a whiner… all the time, but sometimes… it’s ok to be a whiner.

But you know what people do like?

People like authenticity.

Gosh I can’t tell you how much I hate the word “authenticity”, let’s roll with it for a minute, let me pop a quick Pepto Bismol so I can deal with typing that word again.

Whew, I’m back.

People like authenticity.

Do you know why?

No one wants to be the only one with problems, no one wants to be the only one that needs help, no one wants to be the only one that can’t drag themselves out of bed some mornings.

It’s hard to be friends with the “perfect” person. No one wants to be the “loser” friend that’s bringing the relationship down. No one wants to be the only mom that thinks their kids are demons, no one wants to be the only one that has rough days at work, no one wants to be the only one with smudged mascara and a laugh out loud hair day. No one wants to be the only one that needs help. No one wants to be that person… unless… 

Unless you know that some days your friends are going to be in the same boat.

Unless you know there will be days when your friends need you just as much as you need them.

Unless you know that improvement is possible.

Unless you begin to realize that failure is a part of life, a big, huge important part of life!

I’m convinced (after almost 32 years of life experience), that the fastest way to find your “village” is to let people in, let them know that you’re struggling, ask people for help, and show that you can laugh at yourself.

The chinks in our otherwise flawless exterior are important to our story. Our failings, shortcomings, and stumbles make us human, and they make us work harder to improve. They help make us who we are.

Would I trade my controlling and slightly OCD nature for a calm and laid back personality- heck no! My neurotic need to know what’s happening and when, and do things a certain way is what keeps our family rolling along.

Would I trade my sarcastic comments for a warm and touchy personality- heck no! The sarcasm keeps me tough, it helps me compartmentalize and retain control of the situation! I might not be able to offer you a hug, but I can offer you a piping hot dinner and come clean your bathrooms.

Would I trade my love of baking for a love of physical activity… clearly this is a rhetorical question. One involves butter and one involves running… obviously butter is the better option.

Do these things make me less awesome?

Nope.

Do these things make it so some people find me irritating, incompetent or irksome?

Oh yeah.

But that’s ok!

Do these things make my life any “less”?

Nope, not so much.

These things give my life color, pizzaz and personality!

So tomorrow… let down your guard just a tiny bit. Let people see that you’re human. Show people your funny side, your sad side, your patient side- show them a tiny tiny bit of the “real you”.

Show them the you that sings along to cheesy 90’s country songs.

Show them the you that gets excited when your favorite apples are on sale.

Show them the you that not so secretly loves a good rom com.

Let people know you need help, and then let them help you.

Let people know you aren’t perfect, but that you’re working it…they’ll understand… trust me, they totally will.