Achieving Mediocrity

As I age into my mid-thirties I am happy to say I’m at a very comfortable place in my life right now. I have, as I see it, achieved mediocrity- and for that I am proud. Perhaps you’re thinking “what’s so great about being just average?” Well I’ve come to learn that there’s a lot to love about mediocrity and I think being average gets a bad rap.

Now I didn’t go through my early life deciding that average was ok- I worked very hard (I had to) to be an honor student and an all-star athlete and back then, I was proud of my achievements. That hard work got me where I needed to go- on to college where I played Division 1 Lacrosse and graduated Magna Cum Laude- again, achievements I (and my parents) were proud of and if I had to go back, I wouldn’t do things any other way. But now, as a middle-class, working mom of 2, I find that “hard” work isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

You see, I worked hard my whole life to get right here. This is what I always dreamed of- a loving family, a happy home, a career, financial stability and good health- I feel fulfilled. If you visit me in my 3 bedroom, 1 car garage house and see my Hyundai parked in the driveway and my Target purse wrapped around the banister, perhaps you’d beg to differ, but I’ll never be that person that works really, really hard just to live in a big house, dress in high style and have bragging rights. I’d rather work just hard enough to enjoy life.

Not too long ago someone accused me of “skating through life.” I was taken aback and momentarily offended. I went from why you… to how dare you… to thank you- all in a matter of minutes as I thought to myself, “what the hell’s wrong with that?” There are times when I actually feel un-American because wasn’t America built on hard work and determination? Well I guess I’m just determined to be happy with enough and not work hard for excess as sometimes we Americans do. Sometimes I also feel like a great deal of success comes with a price- some kind of sacrifice. Sacrifices I’m determined not to make just to live a life that “appears” by others, to be successful.

And as I see it, old age is when you reap the rewards of a respectable life lived full and with ease. Maybe then I’ll live in a big house with lots of rooms - only because I’ll need enough room to welcome friends and family in to my happy home.

This is an original post of the Philly Moms Blog. Lindsay also blogs for Converseon, the social media agency where she is an Account Director.