“A pretentious, showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life” (Proverbs 13:7, MSG).

     The vote is in. “Goblin mode” has been chosen as Oxford’s word of the year for 2022. Goblin mode is an unapologetic rejection of idealized versions of self-improvement. Goblin mode is like waking up in the middle of the night, wearing nothing but a torn tee shirt and sweats, while making a weird snack like peanut butter on graham crackers. Goblin mode is the practice of being one’s true self without regard to what others may think.

     Social media has been inundated with idealized portrayals of a person’s image. Being the perfect parent. Looking like a model out of vogue. Depicting oneself as flawless in character.

     Don’t hear what I’m not saying. I am all in favor of self-improvement. Each of us should strive toward the best versions of ourselves. The Scriptures encourage the community of faith to live into its God-given image.

     However, striving toward Christian perfection is one thing. Pretending to have reached the level of perfection is something else. I am certain that Jesus had Proverbs 13:7 in mind as he characterized the Pharisees as hypocrites. In Roman culture, a hypocrite was an actor‒‒one who pretended to be something or someone they were not.

     The psychotherapist, Carl Rogers, once wrote of the perils of hypocrisy:

In my relationships with persons I have found that it does not help, in the long run, to act as though I were something that I am not. It does not help to act calm and pleasant when I am actually angry and critical. It does not help to act as though I know the answers when I do not. It does not help to act as though I were a loving person if actually, at that moment, I am hostile

     According to the author of the Proverb above, acting pretentiously leads to an empty life. Those who repeatedly project a false public image of themselves struggle internally with an absence of who they truly are.

The truth is we all struggle with superficial relationships. We wear masks at work, school, and around certain people to project a competent image. To do otherwise could lead to undesirable consequences.

However, we need to have genuine relationships, as well. We need people with whom we can authentically share our innermost thoughts and feelings. Most of all, we need to be authentic with ourselves.

So, with all deference to the self-help community, I encourage to channel your inner Goblin mode. Becoming the best version of yourself begins with an honest assessment of yourself. Besides, when you fail to be real the only person you are only fooling is yourself.