Quarter Favorites:
Podcast: Founders
Concept: High Agency In 30 Minutes
Video: Benny Blanco Interview
Cafe: Silence Please
App: Flighty
Quarter Timeline:
Do you ever feel like you need to be perfect?
That was a topic that came up in one of my recent therapy sessions.
For me, it’s this deep-seated need to be liked by everyone. The fear that if I do something wrong and it affects the relationship, then it’s my fault.
I’ve noticed this shows up in the smallest places. Even my own birthdays.
Although it should be a time to celebrate, I already feel guilty at the thought of not being able to invite someone and them getting upset about it. I would much rather not have a birthday at all than risk making someone feel left out.
But really, that’s just me running away from the core problem. It’s the easy decision of not having to make a decision. No one’s feelings will get hurt if there’s nothing to invite them to, right?
But of course, that’s not how life works.
You can’t please everyone. And trying to is the only surefire way to please no one…including yourself.
Chasing this “perfect” version of myself is endless. There’s always some more perfect version of me I could have been. Some better thing I could have said. And it’s quite tiring honestly.
But the real issue is that it splits me in 2:
Who I am.
And who I think I should be.
Ideally, I want to lean more into who I am. And the only way to do that is to be honest with myself and with others. When I’m honest, it gives people the chance to decide if they truly connect with me.
And if the answer is no? That’s okay.
So that’s where I’m at right now.
Choosing honesty over perfection.
Letting go of the need to be everything to everyone.
Trusting that the people who matter don’t need the polished version of me.
They just want the real one.
But being okay with letting people down is hard.
I’m still working on it.
On another note, going to Japan this quarter was a much needed break.
I hadn’t gone on a proper vacation the entire 3 years I was running Smoothie.
From onsens, to shrines, to animes, to bullet trains, to all the FOOD!
It was incredible and I’m excited to go back again soon.
If you go, I highly recommend Tai Sushi.
And special thanks to Kaz and his wife Yuka for showing us around!
I also organized a Homie Cafe.
We recreated a cafe with lattes, baked goods, lofi music, and even some avocado toasts.
That menu though 👌
Thanks for reading,
Matt