This seems like such a small thing, this being seen, doesn’t it?
But I’ve come to learn that it’s not such a small thing at all. Because for some people, being seen carries risk of being judged.
No one likes to be judged, to feel that someone believes they’re lacking in…whatever.
Sometimes, feelings of inadequacy become a fear so debilitating they become social anxiety.
If we get our worth from others’ opinions of us, from external factors, we’ll always be at risk. There will always people who don’t like us, just like we don’t connect with everyone we meet.
Sometimes, though, the judge is not the other person — it’s in our own heads. Sometimes, we’ve got to silence the critic in our mind so we don’t hide our light under a bushel.
So we shouldn’t let others define us. And we’ve got to take care how we let our monkey mind define ourselves. When that happens, it’s time to reprogram. To look out ourselves clearly.
To consider our own strengths and what we bring to whatever we’re judging.
To focus on our strengths, not what others think
To not be afraid to let ourselves be seen.
See me becomes a lot less frightening when we have confidence that we are ok just as we are, regardless of the opinions of others.
I have a friend struggling with issues pertaining to this topic currently. She’s been working it over in her mind, and I think reprogramming is a great way to describe what I think she’s going after. I’m going to send this along to her.
Oh yes, so much truth to this. I’ve realized how much I’ve changed since college in this regard. I think, as we get older and as we have more experiences under our belt, we begin to feel more confident about ourselves and feel more open and willing to be “seen.”
It’s so important to love yourself no matter what! We have to love and accept ourselves before we can let others love and accept us. Loving ourselves is so important that I can’t even put it into words <3! And once we love ourselves, we can let others see us!
I have been very guilty of judging myself and finding myself lacking many times in years past. It took me many years to take control of that voice in my head that said that I wasn’t good enough and it also took me way too long to learn that I couldn’t live my life worrying about what others thought of me. Through these years I really did hide my true self for fear of what others thought, I did “hide my light under a bushel” and that is really sad. Thankfully, I have learned not to do that anymore.
So true. There have been too many times where I have lacked confidence in myself because of how I perceived others to view me. But it shouldn’t be like that, as that can be limiting!
Fabulous. Just the words and encouragement I needed to day. I’ve take a huge step from invisibility to blogging my memoir. A few words at a time, I reveal who I’ve always been, to others and to myself. ♥
This is something that I have so many problems with. I am not confident in myself at all. So people look right through me, or so it seems. I am trying to become better at self love and confidence, but it takes a lot of time.
Now this is a message everyone, especially the younger generation must feel. It’s really nice that you’ve mentioned about how we judge and look at ourselves. That’s what’s usually stopping us from allowing ourselves to be seen.
Thank you for sharing this, this is so timely for what I am going through right now. My actions are always based on what people will say, I am always afraid to do or buy something that I really like because I think people will say negative things
I love the picture that went along with this article. The notion of a blank face and allowing others to fill that in for us. We definitely should not allow others to dictate how we feel about ourselves.
I think we all go through different feelings in our live. Some days might be more stressful than others. It is how you learn to deal with the tough days or weeks.
This inspired me. I sometimes care what others think. I know I shouldn’t let their opinions get to me. Especially, if none of those people pay my bills. I sometimes get down when people make up lies about but, at the end of the day. (I know the truth). Thanks for this. OPINIONS DON’t MATTER THEY’RE JUST OPINIONS, NOT FACTS. I like the wording on your blog. Nicely done. !
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Yes! It’s so important to have confidence. I used to be afraid of what others thought of me, but now I just don’t care. I like who I am.
I have a friend struggling with issues pertaining to this topic currently. She’s been working it over in her mind, and I think reprogramming is a great way to describe what I think she’s going after. I’m going to send this along to her.
Oh yes, so much truth to this. I’ve realized how much I’ve changed since college in this regard. I think, as we get older and as we have more experiences under our belt, we begin to feel more confident about ourselves and feel more open and willing to be “seen.”
I’m guilty of being very self-judging. I need to exhibit more self-confidence. I’m sure it would make me feel better.
It’s so important to love yourself no matter what! We have to love and accept ourselves before we can let others love and accept us. Loving ourselves is so important that I can’t even put it into words <3! And once we love ourselves, we can let others see us!
I have been very guilty of judging myself and finding myself lacking many times in years past. It took me many years to take control of that voice in my head that said that I wasn’t good enough and it also took me way too long to learn that I couldn’t live my life worrying about what others thought of me. Through these years I really did hide my true self for fear of what others thought, I did “hide my light under a bushel” and that is really sad. Thankfully, I have learned not to do that anymore.
I really relate to this. I often worry too much about what other people think and need to challenge myself to be more brave!
So true. There have been too many times where I have lacked confidence in myself because of how I perceived others to view me. But it shouldn’t be like that, as that can be limiting!
Fabulous. Just the words and encouragement I needed to day. I’ve take a huge step from invisibility to blogging my memoir. A few words at a time, I reveal who I’ve always been, to others and to myself. ♥
This is something that I have so many problems with. I am not confident in myself at all. So people look right through me, or so it seems. I am trying to become better at self love and confidence, but it takes a lot of time.
Now this is a message everyone, especially the younger generation must feel. It’s really nice that you’ve mentioned about how we judge and look at ourselves. That’s what’s usually stopping us from allowing ourselves to be seen.
Thank you for sharing this, this is so timely for what I am going through right now. My actions are always based on what people will say, I am always afraid to do or buy something that I really like because I think people will say negative things
I love the picture that went along with this article. The notion of a blank face and allowing others to fill that in for us. We definitely should not allow others to dictate how we feel about ourselves.
I agree. We should not be defined by how other people see us. Embrace your flaws, love yourself! 🙂
i like the picture, and the quotes “she let herself be seen”. i think i need improve my self confidence! thanks for posting this article!
I think we all go through different feelings in our live. Some days might be more stressful than others. It is how you learn to deal with the tough days or weeks.
I can totally see what you are trying portray. I have evolved over time and I have learned to deal with stress better now.
Such a good post and I enjoy reading this! I want to have a self confidence I always judging myself.
This inspired me. I sometimes care what others think. I know I shouldn’t let their opinions get to me. Especially, if none of those people pay my bills. I sometimes get down when people make up lies about but, at the end of the day. (I know the truth). Thanks for this. OPINIONS DON’t MATTER THEY’RE JUST OPINIONS, NOT FACTS. I like the wording on your blog. Nicely done. !