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There is a lot of pressure from society to prove our worth these days, with social media feeding the idea of perfection. While it can motivate people to become better versions of themselves, it can also lead to others questioning their self-worth. People try hard to show themselves as these flawless beings so that others will like them, which is unhealthy. We are all flawed, and there is no need to try and meet everyone’s standards; it’s impossible.
There is beauty in the fact that we all have flaws and vulnerabilities that make us unique. It’s easier and better to accept your authenticity instead of trying too hard to meet everyone else’s approval. What’s interesting is that once we get what makes us unique, we have a better chance of creating real friendships and relationships where we genuinely care about each other. You also open yourself up to true happiness and more opportunities for success.
There is never a need to put on an act for everyone else because once you’re off the stage, you are left with yourself, the real you. The fight for approval from others is futile, especially if you’re impersonating an idea of what you think others expect you to be. You have nothing to prove to anyone but yourself, and this text tries to explain why.
Self-Worth Definition
Have you ever felt like you are not enough, even after trying to prove your value to someone? That feeling comes from your sense of self-worth. Self-worth is an innate sense of one’s value as a human being. The term is often confused with self-esteem, which refers to our thoughts, feelings, or beliefs. The value determines the self-worth you place on yourself despite the opinions of others.
Many people struggle with their self-worth and the feeling that they are not enough. These individuals with low self-worth turn into “people pleasers,” a term you have heard of. It does not mean they are broken; they just need to develop a new approach to life and eliminate the need to prove themselves to others. The healing takes time, but it all starts by changing how you perceive yourself or your self-esteem.
How to Strengthen Your Self Worth
Now that we understand self-worth, here are some ways you can strengthen it in yourself:
- Understand the cost – when you do something under the mentality that you’re not enough, you pay through your happiness, health, or through your relationships.
- Be self-aware – identify when you act from the perceived state of unworthiness, whether it’s from guilt, shame, or fear.
- Stand up for yourself – identify when you are tolerating too much from the place of ‘not feeling enough’ and start setting and enforcing boundaries.
- Take care of yourself by eating healthy and exercising.
- Build positive relationships.
- Forgive yourself and start making strides to be better.
- Be kind when talking to or about yourself – don’t joke or put yourself down, especially not for the amusement of others.
Why You Don’t Need to Prove Your Worth to Others
Let’s explore some reasons to abandon the need to prove yourself to others:
- Anyone worth impressing wants you to be yourself.
- You are the only one with the ability to change your life.
- You know what’s best for you.
- The societal materialistic sense of worth is flawed.
- Life is not a race.
- Don’t be afraid of failure.
- There’s no way you can please everyone, after all.
Anyone Worth Impressing Wants You to Be Yourself
Your real friends are the people you are comfortable being yourself around. The same applies to relationships; you have a better chance at a relationship if both parties are honest about who they are from the start.
Anything built on lies tends to crumble with time. Be yourself, whether it’s with friends, family, or colleagues at work. If they outgrow you, fine, the people who stay are the only ones you should care about anyway. But, if you have to have to become someone else for someone to like you, you don’t need them in your life.
Also, stop comparing yourself to others; just aim to be a better version of who you were yesterday. Don’t get me wrong, have mentors and icons but don’t try too hard to change to be like those around you. The right people will embrace the real you.
Only You Can Change Your Life
No one is coming to save you; you must channel the strength to transform your life. Even when you find a therapist, they can only advise you on what to do but cannot step in and change your decisions. You are responsible for changing your life regardless of what you have been through. Don’t let other people change this reality and make you out to be a victim. Only you understand your true capabilities, and the amount of time and effort will determine how far you can get.
Only You Knows What’s Best for You
Instead of seeking acceptance from others, walk your path and don’t expect others to understand. Tune out the noise and choose the right path for you because you’ll be walking it. The other people should either be ready to accept you for you or not at all. Don’t be afraid to tell your truth, even if they are not ready. Once you learn to ignore other people’s opinions, you become less distracted and more focused on your goals.
Abandon the Materialistic Sense of Worth Society Perpetuates
You can follow two paths: one that makes you happy and complete or one that society dictates is right for you. The problem is society doesn’t know you and will only care about how much you have instead of the person you are.
The chase for money tends to cloud people’s judgment, and many will abandon their morals and the pursuit. Choose to be the exception and preserve your character ad sense of self. Never let anyone make you feel inadequate just because of their wealth.
Life Isn’t a Race
Don’t feel the need to compete with anyone in life, not your friends or colleagues at work. There have always been those who view it as a race to the top so that everyone can see they did it. As a result, they tend to rush through life and miss all the great moments that make it worth living. Seek out what is important to you, not what everyone else is chasing.
Failure Isn’t Your Enemy
No one goes through life without experiencing failure. If you choose to see failure as your enemy, your stumbles will feel much worse, or you’ll live a life that is too cautious which is not really living. Try different things and accept that you’ll fail at some of them and sometimes fail in front of others. Don’t be afraid even when failure makes you look like a fool; keep going and chase your idea of success.
You Can’t Please Everyone Anyway
Regardless of what you say or do, there is always a chance you’ll be in the wrong in someone’s eyes. These are the people who’ll not be there to compliment you on your wins. So don’t pay attention to anyone who tries to bring you down. Just ignore them and don’t try justifying yourself or stoop to their level.
Bottom Line
The need to be accepted is strong, and it takes time to come to terms with being your own person. Start by knowing that you’re enough and the only standards you care about are your own. Be kind to yourself and care more about who you know you are instead of who people think you are.
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