So true.
I had an epiphany this morning as I was lying in bed in that half-space between sleep and waking up: “Each to their own”.
I sort of realised that there are times I value the level of my worth based on what other people think of me. We all do. We can morph and change according to what we think will make us appear more lovable/desirable/attractive/witty/smart/awesome and the stronger the external validation, the more “certain” we can feel that we’re doing a great job in life.
But then there are times when someone seem affronted by your presence. A disapproving look, a cutting comment, an undermining statement that makes you feel tinier than a freckle on a super freckly, adorable red-headed kid’s pudgy cheek (not stereotyping here- but I really do find red headed, freckly, pudgy kids incredibly adorable). And then it seeps into your consciousness and makes you question yourself- your conviction in your wittiness, opinions, appearance, ability, thoughts, feelings, reactions and general capacity to offer anything worthwhile, falters. And before you know it, you’re on a slippery slope to sh*tballs self-esteem.
When someone does things differently to the way you would, or thinks and reacts in a way that makes you want to recoil into the furthest orbits of your solar system, just sidestep their vitriol and unhelpful talk—because your body, thoughts and energy is special and you have a right to honour it always 🙂
