Do Your Best, Angels Can Do No Better
November 20, 2024
Writer: Keely Conlan
Editor: Sonia Walke
The thing about being young and in your 20s is that no one really knows what they're doing. We’re all on different paths, all a little lost, all just trying to get by. Growing up, my mom and grandma often repeated a comforting phrase to me—a reminder that has stayed with me as a 21-year-old: “Do your best, angels can do no better.” What started as simple words of encouragement has become a life philosophy I carry with me every day.
Growing up comes with a pressure that feels ever-present, like a shadow that follows us around, filling our minds with doubts and “should-haves.” It’s easy to feel like you're falling short, especially when everyone else seems to be soaring. We constantly compare ourselves to others, measuring our worth against someone else’s progress, achievements, or carefully curated highlight reels. It often seems like everyone else has life all figured out, while we’re left questioning our own path. But whenever I find myself on the edge of self-doubt, feeling like I don’t measure up, I hear my mom and grandma’s voices echoing those familiar words. I remind myself that my journey is my own, and as long as I’m doing my best, that’s all that truly matters.
The beauty of this phrase lies in its simplicity. There is no demand for perfection or flawlessness; it's about showing up for yourself when things get hard. Some days, our best is seen in big accomplishments – moments that make us feel on top of the world. On other days, our best is simply making it through the day. Both are okay, and both are applaudable.
We often hold intense and unrealistic expectations for ourselves, forgetting that perfection isn't the goal– progress is. We must remember the days we never thought we would make it through, and realize that we are here, doing just fine. This recognition lifts a weight off your shoulder, reminding us that each day, regardless if we feel it or not, we are making progress. A reminder that small steps are still steps.
So how do we stay confident that we’re headed in the right direction, even when the path ahead seems unclear? For me, it's about trust– trusting myself, trusting the process, and trusting that everything will fall into place. Life is not a race; it is a journey to be lived. Each of us progresses at our own pace, with our own lessons to be learned and challenges to face. And as long as we’re putting one foot in front of the other, we are on the right path.
It’s easy to lose sight of this when you’re immersed in juggling responsibilities, chasing goals, and navigating daily-life pressures. But when I find myself overwhelmed, I hear my mom and grandma’s voices in the back of my mind, reminding me of their mantra, and with that, I breathe a little easier, knowing that I am enough.
Life in your 20s is meant to be a time of confusion and growth, mistakes and learning. There is no guidebook, no rule that says we have to have it all figured out. And at the end of the day, we are all just trying to get by. So here’s to trusting our paths, letting go of endless comparisons, and embracing the simple truth that we are all just doing our best. After all, angels can do no better.
Image: Julia Bonanno
