First, I want to state the fact that I think my generation tends to think EXTREMELY high of themselves. Who indulges in a constant need to fulfill an unrealistic facade via social media? Maybe it's the dopamine effect of endorphins from the likes or retweet, but some of you need to humble yourselves. Please don't get me wrong, I'm not intending to rain on anyone's parade, I want you to be excited about your accomplishments, but why do I need every detail?

Let me explain.

I want to begin by simply saying, there's nothing wrong with being confident in your ability to get the job done. However, I'm tired of my peers wanting recognition awards, participation prizes or whatever accolades in the form of retweets and likes, for simply living life and being a functioning adult.

For whatever reason, my generation has gotten it twisted. We're supposed to be happy and appreciative of streamlined mediocrity, when we find a partner or significant other who cooks us dinner or treats us with respect and we're supposed to applaud when people buy their cars or their first house. These are the things we SHOULD be doing. Why do you need a round of applause for just being alive?

Now, pause.

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I'm not a hater, I'm just a realist. Why must I applaud you for just successfully adulting? I'm challenging my peers to be more impressive this year. 2018 is the year we DO BETTER because we KNOW BETTER.

Well-written captions for social media to flex everything you're "working on" is fine, but I'd rather you (to quote Fabolous) "make more moves and less announcements."

Don't brag and boast about the things you're working on and what plans you have. Just execute and let the work speak for itself. Stop seeking validation, because most of us don't really care, and I'm tired of stroking egos.

The humblebrag isn't so humble, and I cringe every time I log on social media and see my peers saying things like, “I have a job interview, prayers!” followed by, “Just left the interview, I think they loved me!” and lastly, “I got the job, I’d like to thank the academy, my mom, my family, my dog …” OK! I don’t really need a play by play. Congratulations fam, and let me know how it goes (inserts sarcasm, and I'm not even sarcastic).

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What I’m trying to say is this: you aren’t being humble at all.

Now, this is not to be confused with praising yourself, recognizing your worth or showcasing your accomplishments. By all means, do that! Go head!

However, if you have any social media posts that are composed of selfies, “look at me” status updates such as, “Just bought this car,” “Just got a new condo” or “Just got a new job,” then, NEWS FLASH: you're a humblebragger! And no one really appreciates it. Don't do it for the likes or for the 'gram, please I beg of you!

Let's define the humblebrag. Webster's puts it like this: to make a seemingly modest, self-critical, or casual statement or reference that is meant to draw attention to one's admirable or impressive qualities or achievements.

As a humblebragger, I'm judging you …

Humblebrags are obnoxious and annoying, even Harvard says so. The Huffington Post agrees and says it potentially backfires.

As DJ Khaled would say, "don't play yourself" and overpromise through self-promotions because you overstated your current life situation. Don't overestimate. You'll gain positive responses or even be salty when you don't.

Seeking constant validation for the things you're doing as an adult is not an accomplishment. It's as simple as that, fam.

The display of “modesty” on social media is fake, and I'm calling you out on it.

If this is making you feel some type of way, then you’re exactly who I’m talking to. I’m not throwing shade and I’m not trying to come for you. All I’m saying is, keep your narcissism to yourself or learn how to share it with your diary and the people closest to you. Social media isn't real life, and you have to stop putting a filter on your progress or struggles.

I don’t believe that people should be boastful about regular, average things. Personally, I need a "wow factor."

You beat a world record? Dope!

You went deep sea diving and discovered the Loch Ness monster? Ummm … Dope AF!

You met Oprah and helped her write her Golden Globes speech? So dope!

Seriously, I’m learning that journaling is a way to archive your struggles, as well as your accomplishments. I’d even be as brave enough to say that it would be more fulfilling that way, by writing it down in a journal or creating a scrapbook to look back on, rather than some lame social media status updates (debatable, I know).

Social media humblebraggers can make you feel like you're not really “living.” If you aren’t starting a family, crazy successful in your career or traveling the world, then you’re a loser, and the opposite of a humble bragger.

Any social media status updates that are basically selfies, humblebrags and rants suck. But you know what it really sucks? People’s use of false modesty as a context to tell you just how great they are — a facade which could be potentially damaging to themselves and others.

OK, I have a confession. I’m notorious for posting selfies when I feel like my lip gloss is popping and my eyebrows are on fleek (you could consider this a form of humblebragging), but I’m learning to keep a lot of my life private.

For me, I love social media. I tweet all day long, but I don’t necessarily let the world know my every move (such as my future plans or goals, money moves or if I have a new job on the way). I might share a tweet or two after the fact, but I live life in the present and embrace my process.

So, I guess that makes me somewhat of a hypocrite. Either way, I’m one of those people who prefer to let her actions and success make the noise. I'd rather have others notice me based on my actual work, instead of prematurely announcing my goals or achievements, or just simply announcing them in general.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying my process instead of publicizing my every move, until I have concrete evidence that supports why I should receive such accolades for my accomplishments that are everything other than basic.

Trust me, there have been plenty deleted selfies, drafted tweets and discarded status updates that after typing them felt subconsciously like humble-bragging.

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If you're an employee, a friend or a social media influencer, you have to remember that authenticity is key. The people around you, your audience or whoever you're actively trying to "impress" is likely to choose an honest person versus a humble-bragger who pretends to be the self-proclaimed perfectionist, or anything they're not.

Here's what I know for sure …

Live in your truth.

Share your journey with the world and tell your story. Express every high and every low, or don't. Just stop the modest bragging. If you want to brag, then you better BOAST and TOOT your own horn LOUD and clear. I want to see a full brag, not a humble one. Own it.

If you'd rather be humble about your life achievements and those types of things, then maybe just talk to God, your family or diary. What I’ve learned is, when you’re on the right path, people will see your success and acknowledge you without your constant, self-proclamation or humblebragging echoes. Celebrate yourself and know your worth.

Stay humble. Stay hungry. Let's do the work in 2018! I challenge you to be extraordinary this year and let the work speak for itself.

Be quiet and do the work.

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Do you ever find yourself humble-bragging or annoyed by those who do? Drop a comment below and let me know!

teeairawr

Writing since February 2017 · 2 stories contributed