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OPERATING FROM THE INSIDE OUTWARDS, INSTEAD OF THE OUTSIDE-IN
I've recently realized that, despite my consistent efforts to be authentic, I've still been structuring a lot of my goals and presentation based on what other people will think of me. It's all rooted in impressing others, because I worry that people won't like me if I don't impress them. It's not something I've been doing consciously, though. I think it is deeply ingrained with so many people my age because we grew up with social media. At 23, I'm only just beginning to understand how this may have really warped my brain. Additionally, I think a lot of family structures and the school system function this way. There is so much pressure to be "successful" in society. I have always supported the idea of other people expressing themselves without having to worry about being "cringe" or embarrassing, but I haven't been living it myself. I would love to strip back all the layers of expectations that have been painted onto me until I find who is really underneath again.
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@gforce2001
Dec 27, 2024
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@enjoyurlove
i’m with you here. i feel like i never know what is my own opinion/likes/dislikes in my own life because i’ve spent so long basing those things on other people. the pressure to be successful is so real too, especially in the current world climate. your happiness/life expectancy/opportunities in life are so connected to how much money you make it’s hard not to fall into the “success“ money trap
Dec 27, 2024
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@gforce2001
enjoyurlove glad I'm not alone in this! the pressure of appearances is so baked into society that I feel like everyone has ended up slipping into that trap at some point.
Jan 5, 2025

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been thinking a lot about self-awareness lately and what makes me “me.” I’m always trying to figure out how to transform my inner critic to real personal growth without shame. being honest and not editing myself to any given room was one of the first things I began to tackle in therapy. existing among other humans is an ongoing give and take, and Being Who You Are without apology while treating others with respect is really all you need to do in this life. learning how to be kind and true, and finding the good amongst so much bad and then sharing it with others makes the world go ‘round
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@nicolefar
Apr 16, 2024
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Shaped by others
I completely agree with this. The journey of finding oneself has become increasingly chaotic in today’s world, where the constant pressure to fit into online trends and personas can distort our sense of identity. The urge to shape who we are based on what we see around us can easily lead us down a path where we’re not truly discovering ourselves, but rather adopting fragments of someone else’s identity. In the quest to belong or understand who we are, we often open ourselves up to being shaped by external influences, which only creates illusions rather than authentic growth. It’s a cycle of searching for self through others, but in doing so, we risk losing the very essence of who we could be.
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@sophiafone
Jan 14, 2025
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BE MORE OPEN WITH PEOPLE
Oftentimes, I'll overly curate myself based on what I think is or isn't acceptable to those around me because I'm scared of being judged by them. I feel like I have a full and vibrant life, but people only skim the surface of it because I'm scared of letting them in. There's so much joy in being accepted and sharing in each other's joys and sadnesses, and I want more of that in my life in the coming year.
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@sailor
Dec 30, 2024

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@gforce2001
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@gforce2001
2d ago
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let go of your old tastes
i always get stuck choosing which stuff to watch/read/get into next when i look at my huge former watchlists & TBR's. a lot of items are things i put on there years ago and never got around to, so usually by the time i check the list again, my tastes have totally changed. i realized it was hard to get myself excited or motivated about half the stuff i put on there anymore, but i felt indebted to knocking it out anyway just because it was on the list. i'd recommend letting your current feelings/impulses take the wheel, and trust that you'll come back around to any of the other options if they're right for you later on.
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@gforce2001
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