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Here’s a summary of “Mediocrity Is Meaningful: The Case for Living an Average Life” from Nice News:
🌟 Why being “average” can be powerful
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Midway isn’t worthless
Average simply means between extremes—not inferior. As psychologists suggest, you don’t need to reinvent the world to make it better (Nice News). -
Quiet impact matters
Teachers, nurses, janitors, and caregivers—often “average” on paper—play crucial roles in daily life and enrich countless others (Nice News). -
Cosmic insignificance = freedom
Accepting that we’re not meant to change the universe (what Oliver Burkeman calls “cosmic insignificance therapy”) liberates us from unrealistic expectations (Nice News). -
Escape the comparison trap
Defying society’s metric that equates “more good things = more valuable,” helps us set our own meaningful standards (Nice News). -
Average ≠ apathy
You can still pursue passions, grow, and enjoy life without aiming to be the next superstar. Even those we idolize have “average” aspects in their lives (Nice News).
🛠 How to live an “average” life well
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Set realistic, SMART goals.
Turn lofty, stress-inducing ambitions into focused, manageable steps (Nice News). -
Cultivate balance.
Prioritise personal growth, relationships, creativity, and downtime—well-being often overrules achievement (Nice News). -
Appreciate everyday joy.
Simple pleasures—friendship, a good book, meaningful conversations—often offer richer fulfillment than fame or wealth (Reddit, Nice News).
📚 Broader context & echoes from other thinkers
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Mark Manson argues that media’s focus on extremes skews our sense of what normal is—and that ordinary life is where most of us truly live (Mark Manson).
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Psychology Today highlights how quitting the comparison game enables us to recognise the real worth of everyday contributions .
🎯 Bottom line
Living an “average” life doesn’t mean settling for less—it means embracing freedom from societal pressures and focusing on what genuinely matters to you. It's about setting your own standard for success, nurturing what brings you meaning, and finding joy in the ordinary.
Reflective questions:
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What brings you genuine joy—even if it’s “small” or not widely celebrated?
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Can you redefine success for yourself, rather than adopting society’s template?
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