“You were born a champion.” is a sentence I often hear in talks. The analogy being - of the 100,000,000 sperm cells that race to reach the egg, only one sperm is successful.
In which case, you…are a first-placer.
So remember that -
- everytime you feel inadequate
- everytime you feel insecure
- everytime you find yourself comparing yourself to other people
- everytime you experience setbacks
-everytime you feel insignificant, unneeded, and unloved.
It’s hard I know, especially since we’re living in this materialistic world that conditions us that in order to belong, we - have to look a certain way, should have fat bank accounts, should wear branded clothes, shoes, and accessories. We attach our status to material things. We think we have “arrived” if we have been able to acquire expensive cars and property. We have placed too much importance on these metrics.
Then there is the phenomenon of social media. The thing about social media is that we often only see the better side of other people’s lives which in turn makes us feel worse because we tend to compare, to measure, to track our own progress versus other people’s progress and since we loathe ourselves, we give ourselves failing marks.
“Comparison is the thief of joy.”
-Quote: Theodore Roosevelt
Do you know how you can live life with joy? It’s by opening up yourself to possibilities, which will not manifest if you allow yourself to be tied to a template the world seems to be setting up for you.
Do not allow your success to be defined by the society. Remember that you have your own calling, your own mission in this life journey – a role that nobody else can fill. And sooner or later, you will be able to discern that. Just enjoy the ride along the way.
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.
-Quote: Steve Jobs
So stop believing these lies the harsh world tells you.
Don’t believe the lie that you are falling behind in life because the thing is we are meant to travel at our own pace. Each one of us has a different story – and you are meant to encourage and inspire others with yours. So comparing other’s lifetime achievements with yours is simply unnecessary. The lie that you are not enough? It’s holding you back. It’s preventing you to live the best, most successful version of yourself.
How can you shake off this feeling of inadequacy? How can you get these polluted thoughts out of your head?
Here are some things you can do when you find yourself in this rut.
Be thankful.
Whatever your situation may be, try to see the good in it, and just be grateful. After all, everything happens for a reason. The failure that you perceive? It’s actually a learning opportunity. It’s just a matter of perspective. Your trial can be your triumph.
Celebrate.
Any achievement unlocked, milestone reached, any victory or win – whether big or small – celebrate them all. A simple reward to yourself or get-together with your family and friends – whatever, however – just celebrate you.
Laugh more.
Lighten up! Stop acting as if the entire world is on your shoulder. Humor will help get you through.
Control your feed – both online and offline.
Remember – garbage in, garbage out. Are there feeds that are making you feel bad? Unfollow! People that are putting you down? Unfriend! Nobody can drag you down without your permission. And nobody has the right to do that. So fill your mind with only positivity so you can approach life with a sunny disposition. Shine!
Manage your expectations.
We live in a world where we constantly feel we don’t live up to expectations. Find time to reflect on these expectations. Were these standards really set by the society or we flagellated ourselves by setting these for ourselves?
My dad once told me that to have successful relationships, you have to “lower your expectations, and increase your appreciation.” I guess the same can be applied to your relationship with yourself.
Love yourself and soon, you will find yourself loving others better, in ways that can really spurn change in their lives.
Tell yourself everyday that “You are enough.”
You do not need to buy anything and be anyone other than yourself. Just do you – your best version of you.
Do these things and feel the pressure lift from your shoulders. Feel the anxiety, sadness, and stress melt away from your mind – and heal your heart.
Always remember that YOU matter.
Because, heck, you are not just enough.
You are more than enough.