Making peace with being “average” at something you love.
MAKING PEACE WITH BEING “AVERAGE” AT SOMETHING YOU LOVE
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We’re all familiar with the relentless pursuit of excellence, the drive that propelled us through rigorous applications and intense academic landscapes. This "Ivy Identity" shapes us in profound ways, fostering ambition and resilience. Yet, it can also subtly pressure us to be exceptional in every single endeavor, even our cherished hobbies or personal passions.
Think about that activity you genuinely adore, the one that ignites a spark within you. Perhaps it's playing an instrument, writing poetry, coding for fun, or painting. Has the desire to be "the best" ever diminished the pure joy of simply engaging in it? For many, the label of "average" can feel like a foreign concept, almost a failure, especially when our entire educational journey has been about standing out.
But what if true self-discovery lies in embracing that very "averageness" in something you love? What if the freedom to simply enjoy, without the crushing weight of expectation or the need for external validation, is where authentic passion thrives? This isn't about complacency; it's about liberation. It's about reclaiming your passions from the performance paradigm. Your worth isn’t defined by being a prodigy in every field. It's defined by your unique spirit, your curiosity, and the simple joy you find in the things that make you feel alive. Let your Ivy identity empower your ambition, but don't let it limit the boundless, imperfect, beautiful expression of who you are beyond any label.
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