In Case You Feel Small

Social media is an ocean of selfies and smiles on people sitting poolside sipping Mai Tais. Videos of friends partying in hotels you’d have to save two months’ paychecks to afford make you feel… behind. You’re a grain of sand on a beach that stretches coast to coast. Though you may not realize it, every day you make small accomplishments worth celebrating.

…you don’t notice that person off to the side who admires you.

You go to work, come home, maybe reheat some leftovers from yesterday and watch your favorite show, while your ex posts about their new Hellcat. When you went to work, you served customers, fed somebody, taught a kid math or cleaned a campus that otherwise would be filthy. You may feel like anybody can do it. But not everybody will do it or do it well. You do.

For all the good you do, there’s somebody who notices. With your head hung low and cluttered with junk thoughts of what others think of you, you miss this. See those who see you.

Remember the time you got that job everybody else wanted? Do you remember the exhilarating feeling of walking across that stage, shaking at thoughts of what the future would bring but chin to the sky? Replay the good times and accomplishments in your mind. This will put you in a good place and encourage you to move forward in times you want to do the opposite.

…somebody is with you in some way at all times.

Maybe you should join a club. There’s a group out there dedicated to the genre of books you read or shows you watch. There are people who nerd out over Harry Potter the same way you do. Connecting with people who share the same interests as you is comforting. It’s a reminder that somebody is with you in some way at all times.

In a world obsessed with pretending to be the greatest thing since oxygen, it’s not strange to feel like you’re out of breath. Every day, you accomplish something. You just have to acknowledge it. Remember all the good you’ve done. You’re strong, and those watching you know it. Take time to find great minds like yours. You’ll be glad you did.

This article was written by Jermaine Reed, MFA, the Editor-in-Chief of The Reeders Block, who also works an Adjunct College Professor and director. Join the email list to get notifications on new articles and books. This article is 100% human-written. And remember, if you see an error, that’s what makes us human. Subscribe and share.