I’m 39 years old and so far, I’ve lived my life trying to figure out who I am. Most of the time I kept trying to figure out who I was by comparing myself to others around me. My sense of self was definitely conditioned to prove my worth by competing with those around me. It’s incredible because there was a shift that occurred during my early teenage years, where I found it more fun to compete with myself.

Why do I find it enjoyable to compete with myself? I’m not sure I can answer this question without writing out an entire essay, but I think the simplest way of putting it is this: it’s a win-win situation for me. Yeah, you read it right. I enjoy competing with myself because it’s a win-win situation for me. If I fall short of my own expectations, there are lessons learned, but if I exceed my own expectations… well then… I’ve just done something worthy of celebrating. Keeping this in mind, I have no idea why anyone would compete with anyone else, to be quite honest. That doesn’t seem like that most efficient use of one’s energy; and I don’t waste my energy for anyone or anything.

This process of long-term and incessant process of self-competition helped me find myself. I know myself so deeply now that I can immediately inform you whether something I’m involved in will be a success or a failure. I know myself so well that I no longer place any weight on opinions that are not my own (it’s not their life, who cares what they think??). I focus my energy on things that are valuable – not only to myself, but my community at large – because in spite of what the world may have taught you, we do not live in isolation. Human beings are social creatures and it makes life easier and more enjoyable when you remember that fact.

It’s not caring about people’s opinion about a life they are not living that liberated me and that lack of concern about what people thought I should be doing, free’d my energy to engage in activities that I actually enjoyed. I am currently in culinary school (click here to help support if you’re feeling generous), work as a full time Tarot Reader on TikTok (click here to check me out), and finally, I am a food a travel writer that reviews and writes quirky articles about food, restaurants and home cooking….. everything I am passionate about. I couldn’t ask for a more perfect life (for me!), AND the only reason I’ve been able to step into this paradigm because I took the courage to leave behind everything that did not serve me and was holding me back. I encourage you to do the same.

Release everything holding you down and watch yourself soar beyond your wildest dreams.

Victoria Svanikier (Writer/ Author)

Check out my Etsy store. The more I acquaint myself with myself, the more that comes out (creatively) for me explore. I appreciate you all on this journey with me and I celebrate you as your journey your own paths. My you all sink into the life of your dreams.

Happy Sunday!