Member-only story
One day I just got tired of it. So I stopped doing it. You all know what I’m talking about here.
The Audition.
It’s that song and dance we do whenever we’re around other Humans and we attempt to bend ourselves into someone they will find acceptable.
Maybe it’s an old friend and we find ourselves at odds on important issues because we’ve both done some growing over the years. Now there’s a canyon between you and you’re the only one who is working on building a bridge back to each other.
Maybe it’s a new relationship and we’re putting on our best face, trying hard to be our best self. You know? Not using four-letter words every other sentence.
Okay, maybe that’s just me.
Either way — you’re busting your ass to be someone you are not. You’re working really hard to fit into a box that is uncomfortable as hell. You are reaching out to meet someone on their turf — all this unfamiliar territory to prove what stellar friend/significant other/spouse/co-worker/sibling/child you truly are. Or potential friend/significant other/spouse/co-worker you would be — given the chance.
You are auditioning to be part of another Human’s life.
You are handing them the power to validate you. You are letting them curate you, edit you, define you.
