When I hear phrases like “Revenge body” or “success is the best revenge,” I cannot help but think that many people do not know the difference between self-esteem and an unhealthy obsession with others’ opinions.
As the word suggests, self-esteem comes from within, yet many people rely on others to validate their worth. Khloe Kardashian has a new TV show called Revenge Body, and while she may be encouraging people to eat healthily and stay active, she is ultimately promoting the notion that in order to be happy, one must impress others.
I forgot to look after myself, and instead, I lived my life for others. Whether my motivation was to effect jealousy, sympathy, anger, or admiration, I did not live my life happily or healthily; I was obsessed with what everyone else thought. As I lay awake every night, I did not understand that the people I was trying to impact were living their lives. Eventually, this tore me down to the point where I did not know who I was or what I wanted in life.
Khloe Kardashian is promoting this unhealthy mindset that being successful is about impressing others. This can lead people down a path of obsession and possibly self-destruction as a result of never being fulfilled. Happiness does not come from others or external forces; it comes from within.
Pleasing others or impressing them will never be satisfying because the real issue, oneself, is not being addressed. Instead of focusing on his own happiness, the person focuses on others. Noone’s happiness, jealousy, or love will ever replace self-love.
Self-love and self-esteem, however, take time to build. The first step is identifying the difference between wanting revenge (or to be taken back) and wanting something in order to be healthier.
I prefer to focus on doing what makes me happy instead of worrying about what everyone else thinks; their praise or disapproval lasts for a few minutes, but I can never escape my thoughts.