Ever seen a van try to pass itself off as a Jeep Rubicon?
Meet Vannie, my adventurous van who’s been dabbling in some serious mud-slinging. I couldn't help but wonder: Is she hiding her true self behind that dirt? Or maybe she's just in the midst of a vehicular mid-life crisis?
Picture this: a classic Target run (because who doesn’t love those?), squeezing in life’s errands between meetings, and there’s Vannie, sporting her mud coat. One accidental brush against her and my black leggings were wearing a large white splotch. And let’s not even talk about the ATM window situation – gritty is not a good look, Vannie!
The car wash felt SO good, watching the bubbles wash away all evidence of her muddy adventure. But how did she get so dirty? It rained the night before, and while dropping my daughter off at summer camp down a dirt road, another vehicle splashed us. Voila, instant mud makeover!
"Look, Alaina, Vannie’s a jeep!" I joked with my daughter as she hopped out for camp. We laughed, and it got me thinking: how often do we hide behind our own figurative mud or pretend to be something we’re not?
Sidenote: It was even funnier that when I got out of the car to see how muddy she was, there was a Jeep Rubicon parked next to us (see photo below for proof).
For me, that urge to be something I am not (or more often…be less of something I am) pops up more than I'd like. It’s like a persistent bruise that stings every time it’s pressed. Resisting the urge to hide or modify isn’t easy.
If you know me, you know I’m brimming with ideas and energy. I love trying new things, dreaming big, asking bold questions. Challenges? I’m all about the "we’ll figure it out" mindset. Yet, even when I try to tone it down, blend in, or be less... me, I often hear, “Lisa, you’re so [insert intense adjective here].”
It stings, like a slap, because, let’s be real, fitting in feels easier.
Here’s the Hack I’ve Been Using…
Ever had someone drop a comment or give feedback that left you reeling? It happened to me just this week on a networking call. But I’ve got a great little hack to stay grounded in the moment and not slip back into “less Lisa.” Here’s how it goes:
Person says: “Wow, you’re really energetic!” or something that feels like they’re saying or implying, “You’re TOO much.”
My grounding thought: "Remember, the world needs the real you. I AM being a good person at this moment, and if they don’t like it, that just means I might not be for them. It’s perfectly okay that I am not for everyone."
“Get Through” Phrase (delivered with a warm tone and casual cadence): "Thanks for noticing. I just figure the world could use a little more of that from time to time."
This phrase has helped me in sooo many ways. It gives me a “get through” statement that lets me move through the moment without spiraling into overanalyzer mode (Did I talk too much? Ask too much? Am i too much?). It allows me to softly acknowledge their thoughts without apologizing or feeling sorry.
Now, this isn’t the ultimate solution (and it definitely depends on the situation), but it sure makes those daily interactions a lot smoother. Give it a whirl, tweak it to your style, and feel stronger in who you are. Create a “get through” phrase so that you have a response at the ready!
So, here’s to embracing our true selves, mud and all.
Let’s resist the urge to hide and celebrate our unique journeys, quirks included. After all, life’s too short to pretend to be a Jeep when we’re meant to be Vans.
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