The Joy of Being ‘Average’

In a world that constantly pressures us to be the “Best Version” or to achieve “Leaps of Success”… ever wondered, “What if I’m just an ordinary, average person… would that be wrong?”

 

It’s not wrong at all to be average. According to statistics, most things in nature are distributed right in the middle of a bell curve (Normal Distribution). Hence, being “average” isn’t something to be ashamed of—it’s actually one of the most natural phenomena in the world.

 

There are more hidden perks to being ordinary than one might think:

  • Easier decision-making and faster action: Because we focus on choosing what is “appropriate” instead of hunting for the “absolute best”, we bypass the hesitation that leads to inaction. This gives us more time to go out and enjoy life sooner.
  • A clearer view of being “good enough”: Being ordinary reduces the drive for constant upward comparison. It allows us to appreciate our small wins without waiting for a KPI to validate them.
  • Reduced pressure from others’ expectations: When we stop clinging to the need to be “flawless”, the fear of social judgment fades. This significantly lowers the risk of depression and anxiety.
  • Embracing mistakes with understanding: Being ordinary helps us accept that “making mistakes” is usual and “the imperfection is just the perfection of being human”. This builds resilience and keeps us from being too hard on ourselves when things don’t go as planned.
  • Sustaining life energy: Not forcing ourselves to “leap forward” at all times prevents burnout. It allows us to maintain a high quality of life and stay happy for the long haul.

 

Being ordinary doesn’t mean we stop moving; it means choosing to walk at a pace where our heart beats most naturally…

 

“Because happiness doesn’t always come from being the best—it can come from being okay with ourselves on our most ordinary days.”

 

อ้างอิง

Hill, A. P., & Curran, T. (2016). Multidimensional perfectionism and burnout: A meta-analysis. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 20(3), 269–288. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088868315596286

Schwartz, B., Ward, A., Monterosso, J., Lyubomirsky, S., White, K., & Lehman, D. R. (2002). Maximizing versus satisficing: Happiness is a matter of choice. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 83(5), 1178–1197. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.83.5.1178