Self-preservation: the protection of oneself from harm or death, especially regarded as a basic instinct in human beings and animals.
Accept that another’s ‘lens’ that they view the world through could be set at very different magnification to your own (and vice versa). You don’t have to accept their focal points for your life, your hopes, your dreams, your plans, your ideas, your journey, where you’ve been, where you’re at or where you’re stepping next.
And sometimes you have to protect yourself from the lenses of others. Their lens and views can cause harm if you have any self-doubt, feelings of ‘is this worth it/am I worth it’, hesitation, second-guessing yourself or you are learning to tame your own inner critic.
They may not be out to cause harm, their opinions can be said with the best intentions through their lens. They may not be out to bring you down, or hit triggers in you to doubt yourself further. Preserve your own self by noticing the lenses around you on a daily basis that narrow you down. That’s all. Protect yourself by owning the truth that their way isn’t your own. And that’s okay. Focus in your own stuff. Speak to people who offer wide views. And when the lens of others are being set upon you, Breathe. Step back, away or to the side.
PS: this works both ways. Let’s care deeper for one another by not imposing our limited lenses (and we all have them) on others.
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