"برای شناخت خود باید خود را اثبات کرد"

Understanding who you really are is closely linked to how you present yourself to the world. It's like a mirror—if you want to see your true reflection, you need to look at what you do and say, not just what you think.

Back in the early 20th century, French philosopher Albert Camus talked about the importance of asserting oneself in the face of an absurd and indifferent universe. Camus was all about grappling with life's meaning—or lack thereof. He believed that by standing up and making your mark, you come to understand yourself better. You might think he was just being dramatic, but his idea has stuck around because it’s pretty powerful.

Picture this: You’re at an office meeting, a bit nervous about speaking up. There’s a discussion about a project, and you have an idea, but you're hesitant. What if it’s not great? What if you get shot down? But then you take a deep breath, assert yourself, and share your thoughts. Maybe your idea isn’t the best, but you get feedback. You learn more about the project, and more importantly, you learn about how you handle criticism and collaboration. That’s self-knowledge in action.

So, how can you apply this in your day-to-day life? Start small. Speak up in situations where you might normally stay quiet. If you’re at a family dinner and a hot topic comes up, don’t just sit there—jump in. Or if you’re in class and have a question, ask it. The more you put yourself out there, the more you’ll learn about your values, strengths, and weaknesses.

Imagine you’re in a book club. You’ve always been the quiet one, just listening to others. But this time, you decide to share your thoughts on the book. You speak up about a character’s motivations, drawing on your own life experiences. Suddenly, you’re not just a passive listener; you’re an active participant. Your friends see a new side of you, and you see a new side of yourself. You discover you have insights that others appreciate, and you gain confidence.

Another way to assert yourself is in your personal goals. Think about that thing you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t—writing a book, starting a business, learning to dance. Go for it. Take the first step, and as you push forward, you’ll face challenges. These challenges will teach you about your resilience, your creativity, and your determination.

Sure, it’s scary. But every time you assert yourself, you peel back another layer of your identity. You move from theory to practice, from what-ifs to what-is. It’s messy, it’s real, and it’s you.

So, next time you’re on the fence about asserting yourself, think of it as an investment in self-discovery. It’s not just about making noise—it’s about making sense of who you are. And isn’t that worth the leap?