I Learned to Be My Own Cheerleader
living life on my terms
I used to crave validation from people that surrounds me. I would bend backward, sacrificing my own needs just to hear a “nice job” or a simple “you’re doing good” thinking that if I pleased everyone else, I’d finally feel worthy.
But no matter what I did, It was never enough.
Someone always had an opinion — something negative to say or an unspoken standard I couldn’t meet. I realized that if I kept living for their approval, I’d lose myself entirely.
So, I decided to stop.
I stopped pleasing people around me. I stopped seeking for their approval. I stopped waiting for people to clap for me. Instead, I learned to be my own cheerleader.
The truth is, people will always judge you for not doing enough. They always have something to say. But remember that their opinions aren’t facts, and they certainly don’t define your worth.
You are allowed to make decisions even if others don’t understand them. You are always allowed to prioritize yourself, even if people call it selfish. And you’re allowed to celebrate your wins, even how small it is and even if no one else does.
Because at the end of the day, your life is yours to live — not theirs to dictate.
The hardest part of this journey was letting go of the idea that people has to like me. The truth is, they won’t. And that is okay. Not everyone will appreciate what you’re doing, and that is not your responsibility.
The only responsibility you have is yourself; to grow, heal, and to build a life that you think is right for you and your future.
Learn to celebrate yourself loudly, Cheer yourself on. Be the kind of person who doesn’t need an audience to know that they are doing great.
And if you’re having a hard time to let go of others' opinions, may this serve as a reminder; You don’t need their applause. You just need your own self to believe in you.
