Let’s talk about ideals. You know, those shiny, perfect images of what we could be. The fittest athlete. The wisest sage. The coder who drinks green tea and writes bug-free code while sitting in a perfect posture. (Do they even exist?)

Ideals are great. They give us something to aim for. Without them, we’d all just be lying on the floor, eating chips, and calling it “self-acceptance.” I get it—we need role models. Goals. A north star. Without that, life can feel like trying to play chess with a pigeon: messy, noisy, and deeply unsatisfying.

But here’s the catch: chasing ideals doesn’t mean trampling over real people.

“Ambition is beautiful. But if your motivation needs a villain, it’s not growth—it’s ego.”

Some folks think that if you’re not striving 24/7, you’re failing. That if you’re not gymming, reading philosophy, or building startups on weekends, you’re somehow less worthy. Nope. That’s just arrogance dressed up as “motivation.”

Let me say this slowly: You can believe in growth and be kind to people who aren’t climbing the same ladder as you.

We’re not all sprinting toward the same goals. Some are healing. Some are coasting. Some are figuring stuff out. And some are just tired because… life. (And meetings. So many meetings.)

Here’s a radical thought: Maybe true strength isn’t about perfection. Maybe it’s about trying, while staying human. Being proud of your effort, without shaming the guy who’s just surviving the day.

Yes, celebrate excellence. Applaud the marathon runner, the math whiz, the startup warrior. But don’t roll your eyes at the person just trying to make it to Friday.

Ambition is beautiful. But if your motivation needs a villain, it’s not growth—it’s ego.

So, aim high. Dream big. But also, chill out. Offer a hand, not a lecture. And remember: you don’t need to be a superhero to be doing just fine.

✨ Being decent is underrated.