Rec | OPERATING FROM THE INSIDE OUTWARDS, INSTEAD OF THE OUTSID...

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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.

@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

@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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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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