MUSTAAAAAARD!

Okay, let's be real. This whole "being woke" thing can be exhausting. It feels like there's constant pressure to stay up to date on the latest trends, the hottest gossip, and every single detail of pop culture, and that dang half-time performance!!

And honestly? It's draining.  Let me tell you, I was too busy being entertained to think too hard about that episode. How y’all act like y’all watched that performance ONE time and got all that?! And if I’m being super honest, I was waiting for the opportunity to yell “MUSTAAAAAAARD!!!” and to see if he was going to call Drake a pedophile. Other than that…go figure.

I'm 44 years old, and I've realized something: I don't have to know everything, and neither do you. Think about it.

• Life is too short to stress about who's dating who or what the latest TikTok dance craze is. 

  • * My happiness doesn't depend on knowing which celebrity is feuding with which other celebrities. (Except Kendrick and Drake… I digress)

• And frankly, I have more important things to worry about, like raising my kids, building my career, and enjoying my friendships.

I used to feel like I was missing out if I didn't know the inside scoop on every single thing. But you know what? I'm not. I'm living my life, pursuing my passions, and enjoying the company of the people I love.

And that, my friends, is far more fulfilling than being "in the know."

Here are a few things I've learned along the way:

• It's okay to say "I don't know." In fact, it can even be a conversation starter, cause they either don’t know as well or do know!! Now we have something to talk about!

• Social media is not real life. Don't let curated feeds make you feel like you're not living up to some unrealistic standard. Especially when everyone is using a filter!!

• Focus on what truly matters to you. Whether it's your family, your career, your hobbies, or your community, prioritize what brings you joy and fulfillment.

So next time you feel the pressure to be "in the know," take a deep breath, remember: you don't have to know everything, and yell MUSTAAAAAARD!! (Trust me, it’s liberating and currently socially acceptable) . You are enough, just as you are.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go enjoy a good book and leave the "woke" drama for someone else.

NOW… Akira will tell y’all:

Here are some practical tips for embracing the fact that you don't have to be "in the know" all the time:

• Practice self-compassion: Be kind to yourself and acknowledge that it's human to have knowledge gaps.

• Prioritize your learning: Focus on learning about the topics that are most relevant to your interests and goals.

• Cultivate curiosity: Ask questions, explore new ideas, and embrace the joy of learning.

• Be comfortable with uncertainty: Accept that there will always be things you don't know, and that's okay.

• Limit your social media consumption: Reduce your exposure to the curated perfection of social media, which can fuel feelings of inadequacy.

• Value the process of learning: more than the result of knowing everything.

But I said that… right?!

What do you think? Are you tired of the pressure to be "in the know"? Share your thoughts in the comments below!