What Lies Beneath?

I often wonder why we, as a society, constantly feel pressured to be the "best" at everything immediately.

And "best", usually, means most popular, most visible.

I understand the urge. As a writer, I constantly feel compelled to make everything I post brilliant, deserving of accolades, celebration, and at least one shiny trophy.

But where does that urge come from? And why is it there? I know that it's a societal thing, but society is made up of people. It's made up of me and you, and billions of other me's and you's.

Why do we get so caught up in the optics of success? If I write a NYT bestselling novel, but I know deep down that it was sloppily written and I didn't put much thought into it, am I supposed to be happy with what I've produced? Because it ended up on someone's longlist?

I just want to keep putting my heart into everything I do. No more comparison, no more bending to what I think will get me the most attention. There's only one me, and I've got a mark to make. A real one.

Easier said than done, for sure. I'll be chewing on this for a while.

-D.