Sometimes I don't even know who I am anymore.
That's a frightening sentence.
But also...
A surprisingly honest one.
May I ask you something?
Sure.
If everyone stopped clapping tomorrow...
Would you still choose the same life?
I don't know.
I've never thought about it.
Most of us haven't.
We're taught to chase good grades.
Promotions.
Followers.
Awards.
Recognition.
Eventually, applause becomes so familiar...
...we mistake it for direction.
So wanting appreciation is wrong?
Not at all.
Applause is enjoyable.
Depending on it is exhausting.
The danger begins when your identity starts outsourcing its performance review.
That feels uncomfortably accurate.
Imagine a tree.
Would you call it unsuccessful because nobody complimented its leaves today?
That sounds ridiculous.
Exactly.
The tree grows because growing is its nature.
Not because someone pressed 'Like.'
So how do I know if I'm living my life...
...or performing it?
Ask yourself one question.
"If nobody ever knew I did this... would I still do it?"
If the answer is yes...
You've probably found something real.
That's a difficult question.
The important ones usually are.
Identity isn't built by being seen.
It's built by becoming someone worth seeing.
Even when nobody is looking.
Discussion
0 voices in conversation