we make decisions based on the public images that we have cultivated rather than on what we actually want. Not only does this dissonance make us behave in ways that don’t reflect our authentic selves—and, in extreme cases, that prevent us (and our kids) from even knowing our authentic selves to begin with—but it’s also exhausting. We’re left with no energy to pursue playfulness, connection, or flow, which is an unfortunate irony, given that playfulness, connection, and flow each generate far more energy and satisfaction than any hard-earned “like” on social media ever could.
