There was a time when I based my confidence on what others thought of me. I craved their approval, their praise, their validation. A kind word or a compliment would lift me up, while criticism—or worse, silence—could send me spiraling into self-doubt. It felt like my worth was always in someone else’s hands, and I couldn’t figure out how to take it back.

But one day, something shifted. I realized that no matter how hard I tried, I would never be able to make everyone like me. No matter how much I adjusted, softened, or shrank myself to fit into someone else’s expectations, there would always be people who disapproved or didn’t care. And that realization was freeing.

I began asking myself: Why am I letting my confidence rest in the hands of others? Why should my value be determined by someone else’s opinion? Slowly, I started reclaiming my power. I began to focus less on being liked and more on being true to myself.

It wasn’t easy at first. Doubts crept in—what if I wasn’t enough? What if I made a mistake? But then I realized something important: I had survived every moment of doubt, every failure, every rejection. And not only had I survived, but I had grown. My confidence wasn’t built on being perfect or pleasing everyone. It was built on knowing that I could thrive, even when things didn’t go my way.

Now, I remind myself daily that my worth doesn’t depend on someone else’s approval. I don’t need to be liked by everyone, and I’m okay with that. My confidence comes from within—from trusting myself, staying true to who I am, and knowing that I have the strength to navigate whatever comes my way.

The truth is, I thrive not because everyone supports me, but because I support myself. And that’s more powerful than any fleeting approval could ever be.