Ever since I was a teenager, I faced difficulties trusting myself. I didn’t think that I would make the best decisions. Heck, I had to consult someone else even for the simplest decisions, such as choosing Tim Hortons or Starbucks coffee.
I felt that other people knew me better. I thought that they could better assess my life until I realized one day that only I, myself, could make those decisions.
I remember that day. I was talking to a friend about different career options. I threw a few ideas on the table – a lawyer, a psychologist, a professor, or a manager. The friend decided I shouldn’t become a psychologist simply because the field was too saturated. They also stated that being a professor was a horrible idea because I wouldn’t be happy with the job. Then, they mentioned that being a lawyer wasn’t the right choice either – simply because law school sounded way too stressful.
They decided that if I were to be successful in life, the only career I should choose was a manager.
I wasn’t against the idea at first. I liked meeting new people, negotiating, and brainstorming new ideas to lead a team effectively. However, I later realized that their decision was mainly a result of their own goals and experiences.
When I realized that, I specifically asked them why I should choose to be a manager. They then told me that I had the support systems, and if I were a manager, I could travel the world and explore new places.
However, they then told me that it was their goal to travel the world. So I asked myself, “Is their opinion really a reflection of my own interests?”
It seems that everywhere I go, somebody always has a suggestion for what I should do and work towards. My manager at work and even my parents encourage me to work as a lawyer. Then, other people around me all pushed me toward a career in politics. They all say that’s where I belong the most.
After hearing all this, I asked myself: Although I could technically pursue these industries, is this where I want to be?
I’ve looked back at my previous job experiences. Some were in customer service, others were in childcare, some were in tutoring, and a few were in administration. I also held a gig as an analyst, where I constantly worked with numbers and brainstormed new policies for the company.
Over time, I noticed that the lucrative roles were different from the jobs I enjoyed. The jobs that I liked had to do more with one-on-one or classroom interaction. One of my favorite gigs was being a teaching assistant for an English course because it allowed me to connect with others. But then I realized that no one around me would have guessed I like to teach.
That realization showed me that I know myself the best. What other people think is not a reflection of me; instead, it’s a reflection of their opinion. So, I need to start trusting myself to make my own decisions instead of relying on others.
So, in the end, whenever you make a decision, please disregard what other people say and keep trusting yourself. Their opinions are not a reflection of you. The only person who knows what’s right for you is you.
Featured image via Büşranur Aydın on Pexels
