Overcoming My Inferiority Complex: A Personal Journey to Self-Acceptance
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Chapter 1: Understanding the Inferiority Complex
It was a challenging journey, but I successfully navigated through my inferiority complex.
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The concise answer is that I established goals for myself to work toward, which helped me become a better individual and reduce feelings of inferiority. Additionally, I made a conscious effort to embrace who I am in the present moment.
From the beginning of my high school experience, I struggled with my self-image due to what I later learned was an “Inferiority Complex.” This sentiment led me to adopt a negative outlook and to avoid failure at all costs, all in an effort to not feel inferior to others. Although I was unaware of the term “Inferiority Complex” at the time, I recognized it as something I wanted to eliminate from my life.
As defined by the American Psychological Association, an inferiority complex involves persistent feelings of inadequacy or insecurity stemming from the belief that one is physically or mentally less capable than others, regardless of whether that belief holds any truth.
Recently, I came across a book entitled “Inferiority Complex: A Seemingly Harmless Personality Blemish of Grave Societal Consequences.” It was eye-opening to discover that many individuals experience similar feelings of inferiority, and this realization inspired me to share my own story.
How did I manage to overcome this feeling and progress?
Setting Goals to Better Myself
The primary strategy that helped me confront my inferiority complex was establishing personal goals. I would identify my weaknesses and actively work on them. In fact, at times, I found a sense of gratitude for my inferiority complex, as it spurred me on to improve myself.
However, I occasionally found myself lost in the process. Whenever I encountered someone who excelled in an area I aspired to, I would imitate them in an attempt to surpass them. This method, while effective, often left me feeling exhausted. My friends often label me a perfectionist due to this tendency.
Thus, it is essential to set achievable goals to avoid burnout while honing my skills. By adhering to these goals, I transformed from someone plagued by feelings of inadequacy into a person who can integrate seamlessly into society.
Embracing My True Self
Previously, I would become disheartened if I did not achieve a specific goal (like failing to secure a job, scholarship, or even something as simple as obtaining a score of 90/100 on a test to boost my GPA). I now understand that such behaviors were self-destructive and only attracted more unfortunate circumstances.
Therefore, the best approach is to accept myself as I am and focus on what I can control. I need to relinquish concerns that are beyond my influence and concentrate on the aspects I can manage.
This is my reflection. I felt compelled to document this to remind myself in the future, especially as I anticipate the challenges ahead while pursuing my Master’s degree in Japan. It has been a considerable amount of time since I last penned my personal experiences.
Thank you for taking the time to read my journey.
Chapter 2: Setting Goals for Success
To further enhance your understanding of goal-setting, check out the following video:
The first video explores effective methods for setting goals, providing a step-by-step guide.
Additionally, discover science-backed techniques for setting and achieving goals in the following video: