You Don’t Owe Anyone Proof of Your Worth

Anyone who intentionally tries to make you feel worse about yourself - who belittles you, makes you feel unworthy or of no value, or forces you to go above and beyond just to prove your worth to them - is not meant to be in your life.

That person, or group of people, is not your tribe. One of the biggest mistakes people make is building their lives around trying to change the minds, perspectives, or beliefs of such individuals.

The result is almost always the same (unless by Divine intervention), their opinion of you will never change, no matter what you accomplish. So why do kind-hearted, empathetic, and well-meaning people fall into this trap?

It lies in the natural human desire to be seen, valued, respected, and recognized as individuals with worth and purpose.

This desire can be a healthy motivator when it drives us to contribute meaningfully to our communities and connect with others. But it becomes dangerous when we aim it at people who are committed to making us feel less; those who never truly saw our value to begin with.

You don’t need to prove your worth to your people. Your people will see how valuable, wonderful, and capable you are - even when you can’t see it yourself.

Even when you mess up, your people still believe in you. They relate to you based on the best version of who you are (the version they’ve always loved and believed in).

It’s usually a case of instant recognition. They either see your essence, or they don’t. And nothing you do will change that initial perception.

So here’s the point: one of the easiest ways to recognize your true people is to observe how they make you feel and what they see in you. This has nothing to do with what you do or what you offer. The real ones see your worth - whether or not you do anything for them.

Don’t waste your life trying to change the minds of those who don’t love or believe in you. Trying to earn their approval is a one-way road to sadness and frustration.

Instead, focus your energy on acknowledging your own worth. Believe the people who see you - even when you falter. You can feel their love and support in how they speak to you, how they interact with you.

One way to know who's truly for you? Watch how they respond when you make mistakes. Those who label or define you by your errors are often manipulators. They never cared about you - only what they could get from you.

But the ones who, despite your flaws, still see your potential - and correct you with love and respect? Those are your people.

That’s how you know - you watch what they do. Your people treat you like the best version of yourself. The version that God (or the Divine) always sees.

Anyone who uses your mistakes as ammunition to make you feel small or worthless is someone you shouldn’t keep around - no matter who they are.

You also have to remind yourself: you can become that best version of you. You are great, unique, and excellent. And you don’t need external validation to believe that.

It’s powerful to have genuine people around to remind you, but even more powerful when you can remind yourself. Whether it’s through setting daily reminders, placing affirmations around your home, or simply speaking life into yourself - stay conscious of your value.

Train your mind to stop seeking validation from those who don’t deserve to have access to you.

Your people will always reflect back to you your truest, highest self.

The wrong ones will try to distort it.

Choose wisely who you allow into your circle.

Keep winning.

- Ike