1700: On comparison and poking ourselves in the eye
Today I’m sharing a weird little story about eyeliner to remind you about the realities of comparison and why it’s not only okay, but expected, to have wobbles.
Episode transcript:
Good morning, Daily Peppers, and a very happy Monday to you. So something I've learned about myself this year, and just a heads up, it's not particularly exciting, but I'm using it to illustrate the point, is that I can do my liquid eyeliner On my top lid and my bottom lid, completely in the dark and also without a mirror. And I would say 9 out of 10 times it needs no corrections and it's good for the day. Now this might just seem like some really weirdly specific party trick, and not a very interesting one at that, let's face it. And some people who maybe never wear eyeliner might think that's quite impressive. But here's the thing, I would say I've been wearing liquid eyeliner every single day for at least the past 20 years, which if you took the time to add it up, that is many thousands of days doing the exact same motion on surprise my very same eyeballs, day in, day out, repeatedly. So really, it is no wonder that I don't stab myself in the eye Because I just know that motion. It is in my body.
And the reason I bring this up today is because when we start something and we inevitably poke ourselves in the eye, we smudge everything, we get it all wrong, we have the tendency to beat ourselves up and kind of say, well, how am I doing it so wrong? She over there can do it literally with her eyes closed in the dark. But going back to my boring story, I've done it every day for 20 years, and that's the thing we forget. When you start out at something, there are going to be days where you suck. I do not have some weirdly specific genius talent when it comes to applying eyeliner. I'm just somebody who stubbornly stuck to the same makeup routine for over 2 decades. But how often do we tell ourselves, well, if I'm not fabulous or fantastic or even pretty good right off the bat, then what is the point? The truth is talent can be a bit overrated. It's a bit like a lot of people talk about being an overnight success. They're like, well, you didn't see the years and years and years before that happened.
Now, just to be clear, The point of this story is not that you're going to be shit for a decent amount of time because it takes years and years to get good. That is not what I want you to take away from this. I want you to take away from this that it is often the showing up and the doing it again and again, even on the days where it doesn't go right, that tend to make a lot more difference than innate talent. You cannot compare your day one of liquid eyeliner with my 20 years of liquid eyeliner, which is sounding more ridiculous the more I say it out loud, the same way that if I was to take up a sketchbook practice trying to own my fine art skills, my day one is gonna look nothing like somebody who's been doing it a really long time. And maybe it is as simple as that. So if you've been in the comparison trap lately I really want you to look at where your starting line is and what you're comparing yourself to. Your starting line is nothing to be ashamed about, and you might find you've got a bit of a skill for it. And if that is the case, absolutely lean in.
The start will be wobbly. That is the whole point. That is how you learn, and that is where you can also really lean into the joy and the passion behind it. Which is so, so precious. So that is my boring story for you today. Have a fabulous Monday. I hope you find some unexpected joy this week, and I can't wait to be back with you bright and early tomorrow morning. Take care.
Transcription automatically produced by Castmagic.io
ABOUT THE DAILY PEP!
New episodes air every Monday - Friday 6AM GMT.
A short, snappy and sassy daily podcast to keep your internal - and external - dreamshitters at bay!
The Daily Pep! is the rebel-rousing, daily podcast for couragemakers, creative, multi-passionate and unconventional women. If you’re surrounded by people who don’t get who you are or what you do, if you want reminders you’re on the right path (no matter how scary it feels), or you’re sick of being your very own worst enemy, this is the podcast for you.
Every weekday, your host - writer, coach and professional rebel-rouser - Meg Kissack helps you build a creative and wholehearted life, one day at a time. Through short and snappy insights, reminders and stories, The Daily Pep! is here to remind you you’re not alone, and that everything changes when you believe you matter. Each episode is short and snappy, designed to fit in with (or help you start) your habits and routines.
MORE REBEL-ROUSING THIS WAY!
