Deconstructing Social Constructs

Sometimes in life, in order to to make space for the new, we need to demolish the old and outdated framework. Life called for me to make changes to do better, be better and live better. I answered “yes” to that call and committed myself to do whatever it took to change my life’s landscape. Building new, stronger systems that offered a better design to function and thrive and also, protection when needed. I was the architect of my life, limited only by my creativity and effort. If my life was my realm, then this made me the queen of it and how it functioned. I grew determined to build a new personal realm to reign over that had more of what elevated me, and less of what drained me.

The path of awakening is not about becoming who you are. Rather it is about unbecoming who you are not.”

Albert Schweitzer

At times we need to strip away the unnecessary or unimportant down to our basic and beautiful selves. Things that screamed I couldn’t do this, wasn’t capable of doing that, things I would never-be, and could never-be. Things that would pin me down with heavy and dark and nasty assessments intending to obliterate my dreams. I peeled back those layers and exposed them so they could no longer undermine me from the shadows.

Many of these thoughts were built on social constructs. Social constructs are an idea that has been created and accepted by the people in a society. I’d been building them and dutifully following them right up to my 25th year. Journaling helped me discover and assess obstructive ones I’d subscribed to and limited my development. I was done allowing external influences to rule my outlook and pursue what was right for me.

I’m not going to dive deep discussing and analyzing social constructs. There are an endless number of them and what may rule one person doesn’t rule another. It’s unique to each individual. What I want to mention is how easy it is for us to blindly follow them instead of listening to our truth that is rooted deep within us.

“We cannot become what we need by remaining what we are.

John Maxwell

Self-awareness and self-reflection is key to deconstructing years of social constructs we’ve endorsed and accepted without conscious inspection. It’s the act of questioning these social norms to determine if they’re compatible to our dreams and can guide us to reach our potential. We need to learn to say “no” to the standards we’ve assimilated from society that herds the masses into acceptance of rules, procedures or practices to control or regulate behavior.

Some common constructs to say “no” to:

• “Money can buy me happiness”
• “Fame is a perfect fairytale life”
• “I don’t matter to the world if I’m not famous”
• “Putting others down raises me up”
• “My body and my looks define me”
• “I’m entitled to anything I want even though it’s not earned through hard work and commitment and dedication, because I deserve it”
• “Life is supposed to be easy and I’m not meant to have struggles and difficult challenges”
• “A difference of opinion is not acceptable”

We are the rulers of our personal kingdom and it’s up to us to populate it with healthy beliefs not dictated by the media or Hollywood or even our neighbors. Beliefs that are fueled by lovingkindness and respect that help us prosper and cooperate and promote peace, not tear society apart. Take time to ask: What kind of ruler am I? What kind of ruler do I want to be?

What social constructs have you unfollowed? What constructs help you thrive? Please share ❤

Keep it Simple,

Just Teri

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