Embracing Imperfection
The author starts by contrasting his experiences with those of his daughters. His daughters, who belong to Gen Z, prefer a raw, unfiltered approach, captured
in the grainy textures and imperfect angles of their photos. This contrasts sharply with the curated digital personas of his generation, Gen X, who built platforms for presenting polished versions of themselves. He found it bewildering at first, as he was used to sanding down every rough edge. His daughters’ preference for unfiltered reality sparked a realization about the loss of authenticity and the price of seeking perfection. The author also recalls his own youthful dreams, such as wanting to be a fast bowler, and the subsequent choices that led him away from those aspirations.
The Curation Era
The author discusses how his generation, Gen X, pioneered the art of personal digital curation. They meticulously refined every aspect of their lives before sharing it online, presenting only the most polished versions of themselves. The rise of platforms like Orkut, LinkedIn, and Twitter facilitated this curated self-presentation. This contrasted sharply with his daughters' approach, who were actively seeking out the raw, unedited version of reality. He reflects on how Gen X saw this curation as 'winning,' shaping a culture where authenticity was often sacrificed for a polished facade. The author wonders why this culture deemed passion, failure, and imperfect photographs as 'cringe'.
A Younger Self
The author recalls his younger self, a young man with dreams and aspirations. This younger version of himself, who once dreamed of being a fast bowler, was filled with enthusiasm and defiance. The author recalls a photograph of himself in his late teens, exuding confidence, and the image serves as a powerful reminder of that younger self. He had a strong belief that momentum and belief could be the same thing. The author then contrasts this with his current perspective, questioning whether his younger self would recognize him today. He wonders if he has become someone he wouldn't recognize.
Lessons Learned
The author recounts key turning points in his journey. One such experience involved a friend who had a different artistic approach, seeing beauty in ways he couldn't. This friend preferred quiet art, in contrast to the author's more theatrical approach. He acknowledges that he stopped dreaming for the same reason he stopped pursuing his youthful aspirations. The author had learned to be ashamed of trying too hard. He reflects on how society influenced this shift. Ultimately, he finds inspiration in his daughters' pursuit of authenticity, which has prompted him to re-evaluate his values and consider the possibility of starting anew.
Finding Authenticity
The author finds himself considering his Gen Z daughters' perspectives, who value authenticity over perfection. He sees the earnestness in their unfiltered approach to capturing moments, which is a stark contrast to his own era of curated online personas. The author asks how reality became something they had to work “backwards” to reach. He sees the younger generation as rebelling against the pressure to conform to unrealistic standards. The author concludes by contemplating what kindness he can extend to his younger self and which parts of that younger person he can reclaim, restore, and re-attach, reinforcing the idea of embracing authenticity and personal growth.
