Core Components of Internally Driven Validation:
Self-confidence ~ A general feeling of trust in one's abilities across different situations. It stems from the belief that we can achieve a goal or complete a task and initiates our attempt to do so.
Self-efficacy ~ Proven belief in one's capability to achieve a specific goal or task in a particular situation. It stems from successfully completing goals or tasks.
Self-esteem ~ How much a person values and respects themselves as a whole. It stems from the value we place on ourselves despite the value others place on us.
Self-assurance ~ A strong and outward display of confidence, esteem, and efficacy, often indicating a firm belief in one's abilities and self. It comes from a combination of confidence, efficacy, and esteem.
In a society that constantly demands conformity and approval, the struggle to see what you truly need and to feel confident is widely misunderstood. We are taught that confidence comes from achievement:
Having the best job
Having the coolest group of friends
Having a degree (or a few)
These are all things rooted in external validation, which does not provide a consistent and reliable source of anything needed to reach self-assurance. Anytime someone with a better job, a “cooler” best friend, or a little more intelligence comes along, your whole world will be shattered, and you will feel the need to compete with that human to be the best. But the question is, why are you allowing society or someone else to decide what is best for you? For those who rely solely on validation from others, the ability to trust their own judgment and embrace their full selves can seem like a distant or even unimportant goal. This battle is not just personal but systemic, as societal norms and cultural expectations have long conditioned individuals to prioritize external approval over internal alignment.
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