Have you ever felt like you were caught in a storm of opinions? It is such a heavy feeling, trying to navigate through the waves of praise from some and the sharp, biting winds of criticism from others. Georgia O'Keeffe once shared a beautiful secret to peace, saying that once you have settled things within yourself, both flattery and criticism simply wash down the same drain. To me, this means finding that quiet, steady center where your worth isn't a fluctuating number based on what the world says about you. It is about building a foundation of self-knowledge so solid that external noise cannot shake your foundation.
In our everyday lives, we are constantly bombarded by feedback. We scroll through social media and see likes that make us feel high, or we receive a snarky comment that makes us want to hide under our blankets all day. We often let these external voices dictate our mood and our sense of identity. We become like little boats tossed around by every passing breeze, never knowing if we are actually heading in the right direction because we are too busy reacting to the wind. It is exhausting to live a life that is constantly being edited by the expectations of others.
I remember a time when I was working on a special project, something I had poured my whole heart into. I was so hungry for a compliment that every small bit of praise felt like a victory, but the moment someone pointed out a tiny flaw, I felt completely defeated. I realized I wasn't creating for joy; I was creating for approval. It took a lot of soul-searching to realize that if I didn't trust my own vision, no amount of applause would ever make me feel truly successful. I had to learn to sit with my own work and decide if it met my own standards first.
As your friend BibiDuck, I want to remind you that you are the only true authority on your own soul. When you take the time to understand your values, your strengths, and even your imperfections, you create a shield of inner peace. The compliments will feel lovely, but they won't define you, and the criticisms will be heard, but they won't break you. You become free to move through the world with a light heart, unburdened by the need to please or the fear of being judged.
Today, I want to encourage you to take a moment of quiet reflection. Ask yourself what you truly believe about your own progress and your own worth. Try to find one thing you are proud of that has nothing to do with anyone else's opinion. Start building that inner sanctuary, one small truth at a time, so that you can finally experience the beautiful freedom of being truly yourself.