The average person thinks he isn't.

The Relief Of Being Average

It's comforting to believe we're the exception to the rule. When you scroll through social media, everyone seems to be living a highlight reel, including you. You tell yourself your mistakes are situational, but everyone else's are character flaws. This isn't just ego; it's a protective mechanism that keeps us moving forward despite our limitations. We need to feel special enough to try, even when the odds suggest otherwise.

But this quiet confidence creates friction. If everyone believes they're the reasonable one in an argument, resolution becomes impossible. We dismiss feedback because it doesn't match our self-image. The real growth happens when you catch yourself doing exactly what you criticize in others. Admitting you're statistically average isn't an insult; it's a relief. It means you're part of a shared human experience, not a lonely outlier trying to maintain a perfect record. Letting go of exceptionalism frees you to actually improve.