Belief In Your Self

Your self is your internal working conception of what makes you unique. The self differs from identity as this conception is what assists in helping you feel like you belong. For example: being an artist, gay, Black, an immigrant, an organ donor, or diabetic are all examples of identity. They are categories or labels that you assign to others or yourself. 

The self is what separates us from identity; it is an extension beyond who you are in a group of people. It is who you are when no one is looking, except for you. 

The relationship you have with your self can often be intimidating as you may perceive it as lonely. Furthering your sense of self means growing beyond identity. The way you or others categorize you gradually loses some of its significance. The confines of identity can no longer hold you. 

Yes, furthering the sense of self can be intimidating; however, the loneliness you anticipate experiencing is a common misperception. The more you understand your self, the more you have a relationship with this concept.

“So,” you may ask, “what’s the difference between my self and me? Isn’t my self me, and therefore, I am my self?” Good question! To answer quickly: there is no difference and yes. Your conception of self is the internal reference to you. 

Is this getting confusing? Let me put it this way: your self is the recognition of being different from others. It encompasses personality traits, emotions, idiosyncrasies, subjective lived experience, and the source of your consciousness. 

Looking inward at this uniqueness is what allows you to have a relationship with your self. Arguably, I would say that your relationship with your self is the source of your creativity. The more you further this relationship, the more you can express your creativity.

At the end of the day, increasing and fostering a relationship with your self is what allows you to tap into your inner worth, providing an allowance of power and greatness. These qualities and abilities need to be in consideration, along with your identity. 

Having success means having a strong relationship with your self as well as a strong relationship with those around you. Your identities; or, sense of sameness, is how others connect with you and who may assist in lifting you, as nobody gets anywhere alone.

There will be naysayers, those who are combative of your journey toward self-actualization. They present negative voices that will tap into past negative voices. 

A stranger stomping on your creativity may remind you of someone, perhaps someone you once trusted, who said something very similar. It may call into question your relationship with your self. To this, I say, be mindful. It’s possible to be foolhardy and belligerent; no one is above this. However, if, after careful dissection, this is not the case, move onward. 

Many will not have the relationship with their self that you have with yours. It is because of this they may project and attempt to tear you down. Belief in the self will inevitably lead to progress, whatever its definition means to you. Belief, in its most basic form, allows you to have this level of uniqueness, distinction, and beauty.