"Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand." - Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit
The world demands a lot from us
We're expected to be "A" students. Perfect parents. Supermodel slim. On top of the latest trends. We spend a third of our lives working, and most of us are underpaid. We're encouraged to spend the other two-thirds getting enough sleep, exercising, keeping up with current events, participating in extracurricular activities, eating healthy, taking care of our families and pets, doing homework, attending social events - and somehow squeeze in time "for ourselves." It's not enough that we do all of those things; we also have to be the best at them, or be judged by ourselves and others. And we absolutely can't admit that we're struggling, or ask for help.
With all of these unrealistic expectations, it's no wonder that we are more depressed and anxious than ever before. At any point in time, 30% of adults and 20% of adolescents are dealing with a mental health condition, and countless others are having problems with work, parenting, relationships, school, or other important life situations. Life makes us all loose in the joints and very shabby.
The good news
You don't have to be what the world wants you to be. You can and should flaunt convention if it moves you in the direction of the things that are truly important. You can be imperfect, complex, and messy because that’s what Real people are. We’re here to help you embrace your Realness and work toward living an authentic and meaningful life.