Things I Can't Say

Tips and Tales from an Introverted Mom

Things They Can’t Say: Nothing Wrong With Being Average

things they can't sayCaitlin “Mrs. MidAtlantic” is a wife, working mother, and provider of kibble. She blogs about the mishaps and mayhem of motherhood, of which there are many. She enjoys a good book (The Runaway Bunny is a particular favorite), a good tea party, and M&M cookies.
Want to hear something a little crazy? As a kid, I always sort of hoped that something wonderfully tragic would happen to me. I would lie in bed at night thinking up these crazy scenarios in which I, a poor, afflicted youth, would be lifted by my circumstances to fame and fortune. I would be invited to the dinner parties of the rich and famous, where I would be lauded by my bravery. My situation would be miraculously solved, but not until I was dating some fabulous celebrity, specifically anyone in The Sandlot or Stand by Me. A bit weird, but I have a feeling that maybe I’m not alone.

As it turns out, my life might seem a tragic existence compared to the seemingly romantic (but actually awful) imaginations I dreamed up as an average (maybe a little lonely) middle schooler in the nineties. I still struggle with this average existence sometimes as an adult. Perhaps that’s why I started my blog. I thought, perhaps, my words would mean something to other people, and I could finally earn that feeling of celebrity.

me-with-kidsThe truth is, the only tragedy in my life is that I am so tragically average. I am a 5-foot 4-inches, brown-haired, middle child raised in suburban America. I had average grades throughout high school, college and even grad school. I make an average amount of money, at a job where I work averagely hard. I got married in the middle of my twenties. I conceived and birthed two (dare I say: average?) children with little drama. I am raising them in our average house on an average street in an average town. I’m not very religious, nor am I an expert on anything. I am just… average.

I should be someone more! Do something more! Fundraise for something! Be an advocate! Support a cause! But my life is so happily, perfectly, thankfully normal, I am more often left wondering, What’s so wrong with being average, anyway? And maybe that’s just it: my cause, my raison d’être. I am an advocate for average. I am a voice for all the other wonderfully average women in the world struggling to feel valid in a sea of causes, campaigns and celebrities. My life, my average life, is something important worth fighting for.

My life is average: mundane, common, sometimes a little boring, run of the mill, ordinary.

My life is average: extraordinary, magnificent, sometimes a bit exciting, spectacular, beautiful, wonderful.

I am an advocate for average. Average is wonderful; a cause worthy of advocacy. To all the women out there struggling with the middle, our lives might not be extraordinary, but they are lives worth celebrating, documenting, and remembering. Get out there in your minivans with your 2.5 kids and designer dog, and raise awareness for the average! Be an advocate for your own, wonderfully middling life. Speak out for women in the middle everywhere! We are average and we are happy!

 

Please leave Caitlin some comment love here and then go visit Mrs. Mid-Atlantic. 

Comments

  2. I use to imagine somehow getting discovered and becoming an instant Oscar contender. I think those imaginings stopped with my kids. I don’t need them anymore.

    • I might still have little dreams of being famous some day, but I’m also realistic that it’s just not gonna happen!  And honestly, I don’t think being famous is all I cracked it up to be 🙂

  3. This is just beautiful. I’ll tell you a secret: When I was in the middle of three very extraordinary (and not in a good way) experiences, I prayed for average. When I was teaching, I think I said 100 times a day, “I hope my kids are in the average range” because when all is said and done, average can be a magical place to be. 🙂 I really, really enjoyed reading this and seeing there is someone out there that feels the same as I do.

  5. Caitlin, I’m definitely an advocate for the average. The high profile people always crash and burn and it is all over the TV and covers of magazines. I too much prefer my average friends, my average home. Leave the drama for the “above average”. 😉

    Great post!

    • Yes, the down side is that I won’t be on the cover of any magazine anytime soon.  The up side is that I won’t be on the cover of any magazine anytime soon!  Yoga pants forever!

  6. This is what I have been wanting to put into words but not been able to. Reading all these stories out there that are extraordinary and not being able to really imagine because I am to average! And proud of it! Thanks for this, Caitlin.

    • I’m so pleased my words could resonate with so many!  Unite fellow averages!  We are not alone!

  8. I loved this post.
    I too used to want to have something happen to me. I think I craved the attention, but I never broke my arm or anything cool like that 🙂
    Guess I was average too.

  9. Ha! I love this. Reading it made me laugh because its so true. The art of being average is gravely overlooked in our society.  So many times we’re persuaded to do this, do that, make your life count and if we’re careening along doing the average things of life, according to “them” we’re not making the most of our lives. I applaud you for being an advocate for average.  I think average needs to be advocated for more.  (Although I do have to say I think this was an above average post and I thoroughly enjoyed it 🙂 Thanks for a great read!

  10. Oh I can’t stand the drama! Though I did use to wish for braces or a broken bone or glasses! I think I am awesomely average.

    I love that you are embracing the average!