Voices In Your Head

In life, it often feels as if we are fighting a battle that we cannot win. Everywhere we turn there is something or someone that makes us feel inferior or like we are not good enough. And if you try to say you've never felt that way at some point, then you are lying to yourself. Sorry to be blunt, but it's true. We all have different insecurities which overtake who we are and how we feel at times throughout our lives. Some of us are better at quieting those voices in our head, then others, however, simply quieting them is not enough. We have to truly believe in ourselves and then, only then can they be overcome. 

As I was driving in the car over this past weekend I heard the song "Try" by Colbie Caillat. I mean it wasn't the first time I have ever listened to this song, but it is the first time I have really heard it. 

I'm not sure if it was because I was in the car by myself or the fact that subconsciously I needed what the song had to offer, nevertheless, I couldn't be more thankful that the lyrics stuck out to me. 

The song lists stereotypes in today's world that make us think certain things and act various ways:

• Put your make-up on
• Get your nails done
• Curl your hair
• Run the extra mile
• Keep it slim 
• Get your sexy on
• Don't be shy, girl, take it off
• Get your shopping on
• Max your credit cards
• You don't have to choose, buy it all

When I looked up the lyrics later on and saw these all written out it hit me how many things we think we have to do to make us appear more beautiful or how we feel we have to act to keep up or what we do to try to fit in. Some of these things listed, we do because we personally enjoy them, but with others comes the feeling of pressure to be liked. I myself get my nails done because I enjoy doing so as well as any time I paint my nails within 2 days they chip so out of convenience it is easier just to get them done. Although when I was in high school, I felt as if I needed to purchase certain clothes to "stay in the in". 

The chorus of the song speaks to how we don't have to conform, all we have to do is get up and be us.

You don't have to try so hard
You don't have to, give it all away

You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up

You don't have to change a single thing

You don't have to try so hard

You don't have to bend until you break

You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up

You don't have to change a single thing

-and my favorite 4 lines of the song being-

Wait a second,
Why, should you care, what they think of you
When you're all alone, by yourself, do you like you?
Do you like you?

What matters most in life is if we are happy with who we are, on the inside. It is not if other people are happy with what we look like on the outside. We have to stop and think if the things we do are for ourselves or for the perception of others. Unfortunately, this is not something that we can flip on a switch...it will take time and it will not always be easy. Honestly, even if we hit the point where we feel 100% secure with ourselves there's still the chance we will have moments of doubt.

Just do yourself a favor and make sure when you're all alone, you like you. 
Don't let any voices in your head tell you otherwise.

Questions of the Day:

1) Is there a specific stereotype you've ever fallen into trying to follow?

2) What things have helped you quiet the voices in your head?

3) Which songs do you know that portray a similar message?

❤ Nichole ❤

If you haven't heard the song before and or if you could use the reminder that you are perfect the way you are be sure to listen below. The video is also, well, amazing. I got chills when I first watched it. 

Sharing this post over on Running with Spoons for the Thinking Out Loud link-up!!