The Silent Struggle

We live in a world that often glorifies relentless competition and toughness. Initially, I, too, believed that being tough meant staying ahead. I mistakenly equated self-kindness with complacency in this race, fearing it would lead me astray.

This mindset made me my own harshest critic. Every accomplishment felt like a stepping stone, never a cause for celebration. Compliments? They felt out of place, as if accepting them would expose a flaw. This relentless self-critique took a toll. On the outside, my career progressed. Opportunities knocked. Yet, internally, a celebration never occurred.

It took an offhand comment from an HR partner to realise my truth. "I've never seen you happy," he remarked. Those words became a mirror, reflecting a habit of self-abuse I had unknowingly cultivated.

Embarking on a journey of introspection, I discovered the chains of this self-imposed limitation. As I embraced self-kindness, I felt an immediate transformation – a newfound liberation, optimism, and self-confidence.

Many professionals and leaders unknowingly walk this path of self-critique. If you recognise yourself in my story, know that breaking free from this cycle can be empowering and life-changing. May this post be your wake-up call, just as that candid observation was for me.