Cringe is a funny word. It makes me grit my teeth and curl my toes. The fear of it can sometimes stop me from doing things. Writing, creating, sharing…but it’s silly, really, because cringe shouldn’t be seen as the antithesis of cool, and cool needn’t be a barometer for success.
So, if to me, success means feeling like I am expressing myself, doing things I enjoy, and living authentically, then why curtail myself for fear of being cringe?
I’ve been on a slight Substack hiatus. Partly because of personal life stuff (nothing too serious, I’ve mainly been planning a wedding <3) but also, if I’m honest, because every time I sit down to write something there’s an inner voice that says: “Ugh, who even cares about this?” or “it’s cringe” or “oh, a travel guide for Ibiza? Groundbreaking.” The voice can be mean.
Then, this morning, a friend shared the above Instagram post, and I was reminded that I’m not the only one trying to drown out an inner voice that ridicules and taunts. Nahhh, fuck that.
What are you holding back on, for fear of being cringe?
It might not be about what you post on social media, or what you write on Substack, or elsewhere. It could be an idea you wanted to share at work or a sweet text you stopped yourself from sending someone.
From here on in, I’m making a conscious effort to stop censoring myself or holding back, creatively or otherwise, for fear of being perceived as cringe. I hope you’ll join me.