Taking Pride in *anything*- Post 3
Growing up my mom always told me its good to take pride and be proud of yourself. In my short 27 years of existence, I’m rediscovering what that means for me. Through my adolescent years i looked up to my mom because it always looked like she took pride in herself. Like I needed to do that too to be a successful human.
Later when I was in high school I was apart of the JROTC program, and also apart of different groups of the Drill Team , which was a badass team that we had and we placed in a lot of competitions. Definitely what I felt was my high school highlight if I am being honest. lol .
Anyway, moving onto the Marine Corps. I don’t think there’s anywhere in the world that holds as much pride as the United States Marines. We’re all filthy patriotic animals of greatness. But before I go down a rabbit hole with that, my point is that throughout my life’s entirety I have held “taking pride in things” very close to my base of human knowledge and how I exist.
With this brief introduction, I wanted to talk about how I think truly taking pride in myself has had a substantial impact in the directions my life has led me. Maybe it could help motivate someone who’s struggling with their self-image, or self confidence in ways regarding this. Maybe someone will relate, either way this is just from my experiences.
I was at a really low point in 2018-2019 in a multitude of aspects in my life. Without sharing so many personal things, I would say that was when I felt most lost in who I am (or was) at that time. I was very reckless, dissociated and numb. I partook in things that were “exciting” only because of the adrenaline and the risk that came behind a lot of my decision making. It definitely affected my life as a whole, especially my work life. I didn’t know what I enjoyed really, and I didn’t care to put any effort into myself to find out what I would like. When I was active duty, the “active-dutiness” kinda did all that for me. Because I enjoyed it. It wasn’t hard for me to try for the reasons that encompassed why I enjoyed it.
That was the key thing though. I ENJOYED it. I never made the connection that taking pride in what you do flourishes the most when you enjoy it. Sometimes thinking about that, it feels and sounds like common sense. But I did try, more like forcing it as opposed to being open. I take pride as a hard worker, and I tried to be really good at whatever I was doing (since i’ve had 20+ jobs) at the time. But its more than just taking pride in work ethic/morals and being good at what you do. There are plenty of people who work a decent job, and get paid well, and are good at what they do. But do they enjoy it? Nah. Not always. I always felt under the “not gonna enjoy this” umbrella at a lot of jobs I had. Not because I had to work, but because most times I really had toxic work environments, problems with my checks, or not being heard when trying to talk to superiors. I had enough of all of that in the Marines which is part of a reason why I did something different. (getting off active duty)
Since I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life after the Corps, I was open minded to anything because I didn’t know what I would even like to do for a job or career. I felt so behind the power curve being 22 and feeling like I was equivalent to 17yo experience in the “real work world”. Leading up to the having 20 jobs and 4 different unfinished school attempts.
I have learned from my experience of hopping around like a frog place to place, that it doesn’t matter where you are. It’s taking pride in yourself, and enjoying what you take your pride in that is apart of you.
It could be helping people, making good food, working blue collar, white collar, anything. We are all individuals who find fulfillment and happiness in our own ways. Whether it’s a 9-5 job, entrepreneurship, trade, freelance, franchise, it doesn’t matter. There’s no specific formula to take pride in yourself, you just do. You showcase who you are and what you’re about. Even if no one else cares about it or sees it in the moment. No one can take anything from you if you don’t let them, and it should be how YOU care about displaying your pride. Pride never hurt anyone. At least, this is all the frame of mind I’ve gathered when it’s come to working. (I mean, we live in a working world, it’s a way of surviving, unless you’re rich or won the lotto, then you gotta face that reality.)
Taking pride can lead to different opportunities. Like with promotions or meeting a new customer that offers you a job because they think you’re better than where you are working (this happened to me personally), a newfound interest, or even something you didn’t know you would love as much as you ended up loving it. There’s also things that can look good at first, then suck total ass once you’re officially there. But moments like that are when I’ve had to say I can’t compromise my work ethic pride, if opportunities arise whether it be in-house or not you don’t want to give any reason for SOMEONE ELSE to compromise you and your plan.
When I really took time to step back from myself and see how crucial taking pride in myself was, it was a nice return of recognition from where I was needing it in my life. It takes effort, grit, and being able to have a high tolerance of the bull sometimes, but in the end it will feel worth it and fulfilling to know you accomplished everything with grace because that is all anyone sees once you actually DO take pride in yourself. Or regain it if it was once lost. It cane be really empowering but in order to make any sort of change in habit within you, you gotta be open.
Thanks for keeping up with Beatnik. I really love sharing my thoughts down with you guys. Also thank you for all your support and purchases, we are really making a difference, together. :)