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The Thing About Self-Confidence
When I was a kid, there used to be a popular practice amongst the Efiks of Southern Nigeria. A maiden, just before she was betrothed to a man was sent to a fattening room where she’ll be fed fattening food, and pampered until she ballons in size.
Amongst the Efiks, being fat was considered a sign of beauty, fertility, good health, and prosperity. It was a thing of pride.
Now, contrast that with the millions of people in today’s time who feel ugly because they feel ‘fat’.
Let’s consider the case of someone with an attribute that makes them feel odd, inadequate, or insecure.
Imagine that for whatever reason, this same attribute becomes adulated and coveted as an indicator of beauty, genius, immunity to disease, or whatever valued metric there is. That individual, who was once insecure may begin to feel better about himself.
Being labeled a ‘Nerd’ for instance didn’t always have a nice ring to it as it now does.
What made the difference in all the above examples?
A change in narrative.
You should know that for every individual who is broke and feeling inadequate as a result, there is someone else with no money but unshakable confidence in self.
