Insecurity

Insecurity doesn’t make logical sense, but emotionally it can feel powerful—until it’s challenged.

Take today, for example. We had a Luau at work. I showed up in a bright yellow Hawaiian shirt, yellow sunglasses, and matching yellow Converse All Stars. Perfectly matched and stylin’ and profilin’, a little Ric Flair energy.

Then a thought popped up: I need to stop for gas.

Immediately another followed: I don’t want to be seen at the gas station in this outfit. People will think I’m weird. The cashier will judge me.

For a moment, I actually considered changing shirts for the drive and switching back when I got to work. That’s when I caught myself—what a ridiculous idea. I reminded myself: Don’t make choices based on the opinions of others.

So I rolled into the gas station fully decked out. You know what happened? Nothing. I was just another customer in a long line of people getting gas. Everyone else was busy living their own lives.

By the end of the day, I’d learned something simple but strong: don’t give in to your inner critic. Most of the time, nobody is watching as closely as you think.

Question for you:

When was the last time you almost changed what you were doing—or wearing—because of imagined judgment, and how did you push through?