I just went on LinkedIn and it made me anxious. Facebook does the same thing, which is why I de-activated my account a few months ago. As I was scrolling down a page filled with some familiar faces of people I went to school and graduated with, old friends, new friends and random people, I read their titles of what they “do”. All the titles were impressive-looking. I started to think about whether or not I should change my title and what I would change it to. Professional Bull-Shitter came to mind above all else.

Hahaha.

And then my anxiety disappeared.

When I was in Virginia at the end of May/ beginning of June I met some random guy at a gathering and he asked if I wanted to hang out with him before I left VA. I said sure, why not. We went bowling with my cousin and her boyfriend and it was OK. After I left, he sent me a text message and we shot a few back and forth. I asked him why he went into the military and he said because his life “was going downhill” and he needed to fix it. I asked him if he was happy now. He responded

“Yeah of course I’m happy. I have a good job, a nice car and a new house.”

Not very convincing.

I wonder if all those folks on LinkedIn are happy too. I hope their professional photographs and long, complicated-sounding job titles are doing it for ’em. Safe to say, it feels good to have left being a Professional BSer behind and welcoming twenties wanderlusting with open arms. No need to try and prove no fake happiness/success to anyone else. Or one’s self either. Or maybe they really are successful and loving their jobs.

Just love what you do, everyone. Be happy. Not fake.

<3 V