Thread by @kunaaaaaal

Let's talk about the psychology of insecurities. <Thread>

I used to be a skinny guy. Very skinny.

I was repeatedly mocked for it. Everywhere.

It made me feel small, weak and not good enough.

What did my ego do?

It protected me by making me internally believe that I am better than everyone else.

My ego compensated by being overly assertive, defensive and cocky.

Over the years, as I grew, this habit evolved a life of its own.

I became arrogant, argumentative and developed a superiority complex.

This problem got worse in college. Where you get more conscious about your self-image.

It took me too long to realize and fix this behaviour.

And only then I could start working on fixing myself.

Insecurities push you to somehow “strive for superiority” to counteract the feeling of not being good enough.

Your ego makes you feel bigger by making others feel smaller.

Or else, insecurities get you to tie up your self-worth to other people's opinions.

You constantly worry about what others are thinking.

Leading to social anxiety and poor confidence.

Carl Jung referred to this unknown dark side of our personalities as the shadow self.

So think about it.

What makes you feel inadequate or not good enough?

How is it holding you back? Are you overcompensating for it in any way?

Awareness is the first step.

I talk about more such stuff through emails. I keep the list intentionally small. If you'd like to sign up, read this letter: dismantledmind.com :)