a member

Sometimes I feel like I’m losing confidence in myself every time I come home, even after achieving something small. A person I know often congratulates me, but then starts talking about their children’s achievements—even when I didn’t ask. I stay polite and listen, but deep inside, it makes me feel discouraged. There were comments about my appearance, saying that because I’m thin, I might struggle to find a job as a nurse because nurses need to be physically strong. I didn’t know what to say, so I stayed quiet. I’ve also been compared to other people’s achievements, scholarships, and even household responsibilities. The comparisons hurt because our situations are different, yet it feels like I’m being measured against standards that don’t apply to my life. Over time, these comparisons have made me question my worth and my abilities. Sometimes, it feels like the message being sent is that other people are better than me. I know I shouldn’t let these comments define me, but some days they still hurt. I’m trying my best, and I hope that one day I’ll stop measuring my value through other people’s comparisons.