I think one of the biggest revelations I have had in my life is that most people don't give a gerbil's leg about you. It's all inner pressure ... inner judgement... that gets you inner funk (geddit?) Just be true to yourself, remember 99.9999999% of people don't know or care who you are , and life's mystery is solved (maybe).
As an above average intellect (their words, not mine), not living up to my "full potential" fucked me up for life. Well, most of my life. The expectations, the pressure to perform, and the internal pressure to live up to whatever misguided image they put as my ultimate goal post. It kept moving , by the way. I did what I did, I over and underachieved, then I walked away and de and re constructed a life that I dreamt. You are fucking Megan Lee, and your potential is endless. Love, Virg
The way you interrogate the word potential and refuse to let it bully you is AMAZING. So many of us internalized someone else’s measuring stick and never stopped to question who handed it to us. I love that you pivot toward asking whether you’re enjoying your life instead of whether you’re impressive on paper. That kind of self inquiry is far braver than chasing an abstract standard. This is the energy that keeps people coming back because it challenges the script in a way that’s both sharp and relatable.
Boy, do I know about the doublespeak of potential. In my own life when I was a teenager I was considered a troubled underachiever. When I was a special ed teacher I to use the doublespeak as part of my PR to sell parents on the value of special ed. I started teaching in 1979 and back then special ed was considered the same as the “R” word. Things gradually got better during my 34 years of teaching but I’m retired now and things are getting worse. The manosphere is cheering the return of the “R” word and call themselves “Free Speech Warriors”. Even many Christians with a Capital “C” are happy with the willful cruelty we are seeing now. In my retirement I’ve had family members who consider me a slacker because I don’t want to be in charge of things anymore. If I started as a volunteer for something, when I shared what I was doing the response would be, “oh, you’ll be running the program in 6 months.” Full potential my ass… I’m with you, I just want to enjoy life.
How’s this happen? I’ve never given the word a thought then last week a friend mentioned how it triggered them and I did a full body twitch - oop guess it triggers me too! And now this.
Like, it never helps, right? You point out how judgy it is, and it totally is, but also it’s like, without any benefit whatsoever. Like say you have “high potential”. What, compared to others? You above them or something- likely to achieve more? You believe that? Gosh, that’s gonna make you fun to be around. You don’t believe it? Feel like a failure and a waste. Actually achieve your potential? Yay, so superior- well on your way to being a complete asshat! Don’t achieve it? Failure! Again!
Sucks if you achieve your potential, sucks if you don’t. And it’s all a completely fake immeasurable thing anyway. What’s not to love about it!
So yes, it can go cheese grate itself. And maybe it can take “self optimization” to the cheese grater with it. I feel like they are buddies.
I've been using that line myself lately. That "grates my/your cheese" has come up in at least two articles lately, and I have no idea why. I'm not even in Wisconsin, so what the fuck?
Well, great minds and all that shit.
I hear you with being over potential. As a teacher, I've had to use that fucking word too damn much. It's often a word I use because I have to come up with *something* positive to say to parents about their pain-in-the-ass kid who's been a dick in class for weeks.
We always have to butter the bread before serving it up.
Well, it's fucking Friday, and I loved your "Shame Sandwich" as always.
I think one of the biggest revelations I have had in my life is that most people don't give a gerbil's leg about you. It's all inner pressure ... inner judgement... that gets you inner funk (geddit?) Just be true to yourself, remember 99.9999999% of people don't know or care who you are , and life's mystery is solved (maybe).
As an above average intellect (their words, not mine), not living up to my "full potential" fucked me up for life. Well, most of my life. The expectations, the pressure to perform, and the internal pressure to live up to whatever misguided image they put as my ultimate goal post. It kept moving , by the way. I did what I did, I over and underachieved, then I walked away and de and re constructed a life that I dreamt. You are fucking Megan Lee, and your potential is endless. Love, Virg
The way you interrogate the word potential and refuse to let it bully you is AMAZING. So many of us internalized someone else’s measuring stick and never stopped to question who handed it to us. I love that you pivot toward asking whether you’re enjoying your life instead of whether you’re impressive on paper. That kind of self inquiry is far braver than chasing an abstract standard. This is the energy that keeps people coming back because it challenges the script in a way that’s both sharp and relatable.
Boy, do I know about the doublespeak of potential. In my own life when I was a teenager I was considered a troubled underachiever. When I was a special ed teacher I to use the doublespeak as part of my PR to sell parents on the value of special ed. I started teaching in 1979 and back then special ed was considered the same as the “R” word. Things gradually got better during my 34 years of teaching but I’m retired now and things are getting worse. The manosphere is cheering the return of the “R” word and call themselves “Free Speech Warriors”. Even many Christians with a Capital “C” are happy with the willful cruelty we are seeing now. In my retirement I’ve had family members who consider me a slacker because I don’t want to be in charge of things anymore. If I started as a volunteer for something, when I shared what I was doing the response would be, “oh, you’ll be running the program in 6 months.” Full potential my ass… I’m with you, I just want to enjoy life.
“Alas, my internal alarm clock is a cunt.”
I soooo get this. Too many times unfortunately ⏰😭
Potenital can go suck some herpes.
How’s this happen? I’ve never given the word a thought then last week a friend mentioned how it triggered them and I did a full body twitch - oop guess it triggers me too! And now this.
Like, it never helps, right? You point out how judgy it is, and it totally is, but also it’s like, without any benefit whatsoever. Like say you have “high potential”. What, compared to others? You above them or something- likely to achieve more? You believe that? Gosh, that’s gonna make you fun to be around. You don’t believe it? Feel like a failure and a waste. Actually achieve your potential? Yay, so superior- well on your way to being a complete asshat! Don’t achieve it? Failure! Again!
Sucks if you achieve your potential, sucks if you don’t. And it’s all a completely fake immeasurable thing anyway. What’s not to love about it!
So yes, it can go cheese grate itself. And maybe it can take “self optimization” to the cheese grater with it. I feel like they are buddies.
I love the cheese grate line.
I've been using that line myself lately. That "grates my/your cheese" has come up in at least two articles lately, and I have no idea why. I'm not even in Wisconsin, so what the fuck?
Well, great minds and all that shit.
I hear you with being over potential. As a teacher, I've had to use that fucking word too damn much. It's often a word I use because I have to come up with *something* positive to say to parents about their pain-in-the-ass kid who's been a dick in class for weeks.
We always have to butter the bread before serving it up.
Well, it's fucking Friday, and I loved your "Shame Sandwich" as always.
Keep on keeping on.
Keep at it girl. You are having fun