Zendaya

Confidence Rooted in Identity, Not Approval

Rejecting validation doesn’t mean rejecting feedback; it means changing what feedback is allowed to touch. Constructive criticism can refine skills, and encouragement can provide energy, but neither should determine who you are. This is the difference between saying “I did something poorly” and “I am lesser.” In practice, people with grounded confidence often use a simple filter: does this feedback align with my goals and values, and is it offered in good faith? If yes, it’s useful. If not, it’s noise. This approach preserves openness while preventing self-erasure in the face of others’ opinions. [...]