The concept of “just a box” is from Jen Pastiloff’s On Being Human; we intentionally downplay what we’re doing because we aren’t proud, or worse, because we’re ashamed. The progress paradox is in competition and the negative side of ambition; no matter what you get/do, you always want more. If you’re “just an actress, just a waitress, just in retail…” you shape the entire experience using a negative connotation, therefore altering the experience entirely. Comparing our experience to where others are or where we "should" be, takes away from the opportunity to make NOW what we want it to be. We have the choice to show up differently.