MAKING PEACE WITH BEING “AVERAGE” AT SOMETHING YOU LOVE.

Follow for more reflections on navigating the unique journey of identity and purpose.

For many of us, our path here was paved with relentless excellence. We’re wired to strive, achieve, stand out. This culture, while empowering, can subtly imprint a belief that every facet of our lives, especially passions, must be exceptional.

But what about that beloved hobby you’ve nurtured since childhood, where you aren't a prodigy, just consistently… good? Or a new skill you're passionate about, even if progress feels incremental, overshadowed by peer successes? In a world often measuring worth by accolades, it can feel counterintuitive, almost uncomfortable, to simply exist in contented "averageness" at something you deeply enjoy.

This is where the Ivy identity truly shapes us, yet doesn’t define us. It gives us incredible tools, a vast network, and profound intellectual curiosity. Yet, our truest self-discovery happens when we peel back layers of expectation and labels. It’s in quiet moments of unvarnished joy, where the act of creating, learning, or pursuing a passion is its own reward, detached from external validation or competitive superiority.

Embracing being "average" at something you love isn't about lowering standards; it’s about reclaiming authenticity. It’s about finding liberation in the process, appreciating the simple act of doing, and recognizing that not every pursuit needs to culminate in groundbreaking achievement to be profoundly meaningful. Our identities are richer, more resilient, and genuinely ours when we allow ourselves the freedom to simply be, to love, without constant pressure.