In a world where we are constantly bombarded with messages about how we should look, act, and think, it can be easy to feel like we don’t belong. We compare ourselves to others, scouring their faces for any signs that we don’t measure up. We look for validation from the outside world, seeking confirmation that we are enough. But as Brené Brown points out, this constant evaluation is a trap that keeps us from truly belonging.
In her book “Braving the Wilderness,” Brown challenges us to stop walking through the world looking for confirmation that we don’t belong. She reminds us that true belonging and self-worth are not things that we can negotiate with the world. Instead, they are found within us, in our wild hearts. Our call to courage, then, is to protect that wild heart against constant evaluation, especially our own.
This message is particularly relevant in today’s world, where social media and other digital platforms make it easy to compare ourselves to others and seek validation from external sources. We can easily fall into the trap of believing that our worth is tied to the number of likes or followers we have. But as Brown reminds us, true belonging is about belonging to ourselves first and foremost. It’s about embracing our unique qualities and strengths, even if they don’t conform to societal norms.
One example of this can be seen in the world of entrepreneurship. Starting a business is a risky and often lonely endeavor, and it’s easy to feel like an outsider in a world that values success above all else. But successful entrepreneurs know that they must first believe in themselves and their vision in order to succeed. They must protect their wild hearts against the constant evaluation and criticism that comes with putting themselves and their ideas out there.
In the end, the message of Brown’s book is clear: no one belongs here more than you. True belonging is about embracing our own unique qualities and strengths, rather than trying to conform to the expectations of others. It’s about protecting our wild hearts against constant evaluation, and embracing the truth of who we are, even if it means standing alone. By doing so, we can cultivate a sense of belonging that is rooted in self-worth and authenticity, rather than external validation.
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