Amanda Munro (The Beacon)
By Amanda Munro, Staff Commentary
"Hi, how are you?" "I'm good. How are you?" "I'm good." "Cool. How was your break?" "Good. How was yours?" "Good."
Okay, I'm already bored to tears. Would you just tell me how you're really feeling? If I have to have one more meaningless conversation about grades or tests or how "good" I am, I'm going to explode. Isn't there anything else we can talk about? Does anyone want to have an actual, meaningful conversation instead of just making pointless small talk?
It seems to me that we're all just chit-chatting about things that don't matter so we can keep ourselves at a safe distance from the things that do. It starts from the beginning of the conversation. If someone asks you how you are, you say that you're doing well. But what if you're not? Why can't we say, "You know, I'm actually feeling pretty down today." What would be the harm in that? Then we would have the opportunity to ask why and learn something new about someone else, something with depth.
But many people seem content with shallow conversations and shallow relationships, never truly getting to know others or letting others see who they truly are. We don't connect on a human level with each other anymore, if we even interact at all. I mean, why would you try and have a deep conversation about someone's life when you can just stalk their Facebook? That's connection...right?
But what we fail to realize is we're only letting people see us on a surface level. Our Facebook is our tailored, perfect version of ourselves and we display it proudly to the world both online and in real life.
The truth is, I'm not a perfect person. I have plenty of flaws, as does everyone else. I have bad days, just like everyone else. Sometimes I feel cranky for no reason or I get in a petty argument with a friend. Sometimes I can be overly emotional. Sometimes I feel alone. I think the most disturbing part of it all is not only are we ashamed to admit these things to others, but we're also ashamed to admit them to ourselves.
It's easier to be fake. It's easier to show the perfectly polished version of you to the world and thereby keep everyone at a distance. It's no wonder people feel so isolated or like they can't be themselves. We're living and interacting with a world of robots.
I would offer an alternative. Run an experiment. Be real with people for one day. Say how you really feel about things. Don't censor yourself. Wear what you feel like wearing, even if you're not sure if it looks good or if it's in style. Let your flaws show. It's scary, I know. But it's not a crime to be human. Yes, people might be surprised or taken aback or uncomfortable, but you may be surprised by those who aren't. A lot of people may relate to you. I know I will.
I give you permission to be yourself, to scream and cry and laugh if you want to, to say the "wrong" thing, to express how you truly feel, to speak out, to be completely, unapologetically YOU. I give you permission to liberate yourself from the confines of what you feel you "should" be. You are perfect in all your imperfections, so show those imperfections to the world. Be real. And inspire someone else to do the same.
What a beautiful world that would be.
Amanda Munro is a sophomore political science major. She can be reached at munroa15@up.edu.
