Are You Protecting Your Self-Image or Preventing Your Own Growth?
We know the version we are today.
The version that lurks in constant fear of being someone lesser or flawed.
The version that has areas we haven’t worked on.
Our shadow self.
Our dark side.
The side that is insecure, vulnerable, and fearful.
We think the world will not appreciate, applaud, or even embrace this version because we assume the world only acknowledges perfection, that best version of ourselves.
And this perception of our worldview scares the hell out of us, so we shy away from showing the world who we are today. The version that feels less than or doesn’t match a certain standard.
While we stand here with this version that feels small or vulnerable, the work we need to do to elevate and transform into a higher version- the version that is celebrated- feels like an ordeal.
Going from who you are to who you can become comes with expansive growth.
But this growth is like going uphill, a stride that demands all of you.
It summons you for destruction.
The destruction of the version that wants to stay small in its comfort zone because it feels familiar.
So, you keep avoiding it.
Because the destruction feels lethal to the part that feeds on fear, you choose to protect your fear rather than choose your growth.
And now you stand here, aware of the price of becoming that better version.
A price you are not yet ready to afford.
This is when you choose: either to stay who you are or rise to who you can become.
When you choose the former, you start to wear a mask, covering up everything the world might reject or downplay in you.
When you choose the latter, you step out in your authenticity, no matter how small or lesser you feel, while taking responsibility for working on yourself.
When you walk around hiding your true self, it doesn’t show as confidence; it shows up like a cloak hiding a dagger inside.
The mask that pretends to be who you are not.
And this is when we disguise the emotions that threaten our self-image. We disguise the emotions that make us feel weak, inadequate, or flawed behind an egocentric image of ourselves.
And in this deadly pursuit of guarding our self-image at the cost of our growth, we become prey to patterns that distort this version of who we are even more.
Insecurity disguises itself as superiority.
Jealousy disguises itself as criticism or judgement.
Rejection disguises itself as indifference.
Loneliness disguises itself as excessive independence.
Emotional dependence disguises itself as detachment.
Vulnerability disguises itself as emotional unavailability.
Grief disguises itself as emotional numbness.
In this hiding, pretence follows.
With no self-work, the world finds you powerful.
And this is the lie you thrive on.
But every day, you meet yourself in the mirror, where you fail, because, in that mirror, you can see through the mask.
Seeing a false image grow bigger in you only leaves you with self-loathing and self-contempt.
The longer you delay facing your true self, the more you allow your uglier emotions to control you. The more you hide from them, the harder transformation becomes.
The truest triumph is never about having the world on your side; it is about not letting the world dread you for walking with your real self.
Healing is not just becoming the best version of yourself. It is also allowing the worst version of yourself to be loved.
