Society weaponized “chill” against me.
“Don’t try too hard” became the mantra. “Just be natural” sounded sophisticated. Working my ass off sounded desperate.
I bought this poison wholesale.
Then I looked around. The people actually building something? They give a shit. They put in work when no one’s watching. They care intensely about what they do.
The “effortlessly cool” crowd? Still posting the same content, having the same conversations, stuck in the same spot they were five years ago.
Trying hard isn’t uncool. Pretending you don’t care while secretly wishing for different results—that’s uncool.
I’m done with narratives designed to keep me small.
Effort is the tax on ambition. I’m paying it.