Do you ever think about how much the opinions of others shape your path? Realistically, we all know that feeling when some social rules squeeze you into a mold, so you can’t breathe, let alone think about what you really want. Social prejudices and expectations are like invisible walls – you can’t see them, but you feel them at every step. When you add mental health to the whole story, you realize how much these things can hold us back, especially when you’re young and just discovering who you really are.
HOW DO PREJUDICES SHAPE OUR DECISIONS?
Once in high school I was listening to a teacher talk about leadership and I thought, “How am I going to be a leader?” I mean, it’s not that I want to be a politician or a CEO, but I want people to take me seriously. And then you realize – the problem isn’t you, it’s the society that teaches us to be average.
“Don’t stand out” , “What will people say?” , “It’s not for girls or guys” – sound familiar? Well, those sentences are the reason why many of us give up on our ambitions. It’s not that society doesn’t love us, but it’s afraid of changes and everything that comes out of their comfort zone.
MY STEP OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE
I remember when I was in the third grade of high school. That’s when I seriously started working on myself for the first time – building my confidence and learning how to be loud when I need to. Then, honestly, I was completely lost . I was the girl who was always thinking about what others would say. Fortunately, I came across a professor who believed in me more than I believed in myself.
Now, a few years later, I’m in college and I feel completely different. I built myself as a person. Maybe people don’t always understand what I do and why I choose my battles , but that doesn’t matter to me anymore. I know who I am and what I’m worth.
MENTAL HEALTH AND PRESSURE TO SUCCEED
And where is mental health? Well, the pressure to fit in can be terrible. I have often wondered why I get so anxious when I have to speak in front of a group of people. Everyone said: “It’s normal for you, everyone is afraid.” But it is not normal for this fear to prevent us from progressing. That’s why I started working on myself – I talked to like-minded friends, watched movies about self-confidence and, honestly, it helped me to stop looking for validation from everyone around me. Now I think: if I know what I’m doing, isn’t that enough?
HOW TO GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE?
– Set small goals: You don’t have to conquer the world right away. For example, if you are afraid to speak in public, first speak at a small workshop.
– Surround yourself with support: Find people who believe in you and who won’t pull you back.
– Make a mistake: It sounds strange, but the best way to learn is to do something wrong and learn from it.
– Accept that not everyone will understand: And that’s okay. It is important that you understand yourself.
LEADERSHIP IS FOR EVERYONE
For me, the most important thing was to understand that leadership is not reserved for the loudest and most confident. You can be a leader in any field – as a friend, in the family, at work. You just have to believe in what you are doing. And, if nothing else, know that your vote counts. Take the first step, even a small one. Because, hey, to change the world, you have to get out of your comfort zone first. And who knows, maybe you ‘ll inspire someone else to do the same.
Are you ready or ready to try?
Source: rolify.com
