Barbie is a kind, compassionate, warm, and welcoming energy. Being a doll, it’s easier to be these things because- you’re a doll. You don’t have to worry about paying bills, working to survive, death, etc. You’re just there to be pretty and have fun. This is Barbie’s reality- she lives in a “perfect” world as a “perfect” girl, completely oblivious to what’s truly out there.
With the upcoming release of the Barbie movie, I’m excited to see how her character develops beyond being artificial to being human and coming to terms with the idea that “perfect” does not exist.
This is a common ordeal many of us face everyday; how to release perfectionism in a world that’s so not perfect, how to accept the good with the bad, all while continuing to show up for ourselves in the best ways we know how.
How do you want to be remembered? When you visualize where/who you are in the future, what does that look like? You want to be successful, of course. Doesn’t everybody? But does success to you mean people remember you as a doctor? A teacher? A therapist?
Or does it mean you’re remembered as someone who was always smiling? Someone who carried themselves with grace despite what they’d been through? Someone who was kind? Authentic? Aren’t those the things that matter most?
It can be hard to remain kind in a world that fuels off of hate (especially when so many of life’s circumstances force you to be the opposite.) However, I’m an avid believer that we should be what we want to see in the world. We shouldn’t succumb to hate and negativity because it’s “easier.” We shouldn’t feel like we have to be these closed-off, nonchalant, emotionless people in order to protect ourselves. We should be leaning into love and kindness- because that’s what fuels a life well-lived. Our experiences should help us grow, not destroy us.
Losing your light; the ability to be kind, to feel optimistic, to be hopeful… is a tough thing to experience, and most times it happens slowly over a course of events that we don’t know how to deal with.
It’s like being a kid so full of wonder and hope; then growing up and realizing life, adulthood specifically, is not all rainbows and butterflies. There’s so many things we have yet to face with limited information on how. Like Barbie, she was sheltered until being forced to enter reality. She has to make sense of the unknown- just like we do. Life itself is the most unpredictable thing we’ll ever face. There will be highs, but there will also be significant lows. It’s inevitable. In order to live (not just survive) you have to learn to take the good with the bad. And that starts with the way you choose to look at things; your mindset.
Here are some tips for the barbie girls of the world that have lost their light or feel their light fading:
Your sense of self is entirely a mental thing.
The biggest obstacle you’re facing is your mind. Your mind however, will believe anything you tell it. That’s how manifestations and affirmations work; by feeding your mind niceties. It’s the belief behind your words that create your reality. By believing you are magnetic, you attract. By believing you can face anything, you don’t fear loss. You are often the main person standing in your way because you lack the belief that things can be good, and life is entirely up to what you make of it. Our mind drives our thoughts, and our thoughts drive our actions.
Being lost also means you’re free.
Free to explore, free to experience, free to expand your perceptions. Most things only make sense based on what we know. We don’t know everything, though. Like, we don’t know what will make us happy in 2 years or what our “meaning” in life is. We’re simply just living and learning to be okay right now- in our current space. We’re figuring out what drives us now, what defines us now, what makes us happy now. You realize that being “lost” gives you the opportunity to find something new, something better. Each experience leaves us with something. Something we can carry on and use to build a better foundation for ourselves. The beauty of living isn’t to find the meaning of life, more-so just to live. And grow. And continue expanding our perceptions. It’s not necessarily about getting your light back but finding light in who you’re becoming.
Self-validation is the only validation you need.
In a world that profits off of our insecurities and unhealthy coping mechanisms, it’s easy to feel like we’re not enough. Because of this, you have to develop such a strong relationship with your authentic self. Validate yourself so you don’t internalize the beliefs and opinions of others. There is no way to stop people from giving their 2 cents on who you are and what you do- but you can choose not to listen. There is strength in authenticity. Being able to show up as you are 100% every day is not something most people know how to do. But those that can find safety and comfort within themselves, also find a sense of peace and genuine love of oneself- and the life they’re leading.
