You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realise this, and you will find strength. – Marcus Aurelius
I recently finished watching Jae-seok’s B&B Rules! on Netflix.
Like many variety shows, it was filled with laughter, games, and heartwarming interactions. Yet what stayed with me was not a particular joke or challenge. It was the final speech delivered by Yu Jae-seok to the second group of guests, leaving many of them teary-eyed.
His words served as a reminder that while life can often be difficult and tiring, we need not be defeated by its challenges. Sometimes, the greatest act of courage is simply to be gentle with ourselves and keep moving forward.
That message lingered with me long after the credits rolled. Perhaps because lately, I have been noticing something unsettling. One evening, my six-year-old daughter looked at me and said, “Mummy, I’m not good enough.”
The words caught me completely off guard.
How has the idea of not being good enough become so common that even young children are beginning to speak this language?
Truth be told, somewhere along the way, many of us have started believing that our value depends on our performance.
We are not good enough unless we earn and achieve more.
We are not good enough unless our children excel.
We are not good enough unless our lives resemble the carefully curated versions we see online.
The pressure is relentless.
Perhaps that is one reason mental health struggles have become so prevalent today.
We often assume that mental health challenges stem solely from major life events such as grief, trauma, or financial hardship. While these certainly play a role, there is another quieter force at work.
It is the constant sense of inadequacy, where we believe that no matter how hard we try, we are still falling behind. It is the comparison with others, the endless striving, and the exhausting need to keep proving our worth.
Ask yourself or your peers this: how many people wake up each day already feeling exhausted, not because they lack capability, but because they are carrying the invisible burden of expectations?
For instance, employees feel pressure to be constantly productive at work. Parents feel pressure to raise perfect children at home. Students feel pressure to achieve outstanding results at school.
And increasingly, many of us feel guilty for resting, as though every moment must be spent doing something useful or productive.
This is when life begins to resemble a battlefield. It is not a battle where we are fighting others, but one where we are constantly fighting ourselves.
If we are honest with ourselves, many of us may have encountered these inner voices:
“You should be doing more.”
“You should be further ahead.”
“You should have figured this out by now.”
Sadly, our inner voice often becomes our harshest critic, and this is especially true in the digital age. These voices grow even louder as social media platforms tend to celebrate success stories while overlooking the countless ordinary people quietly persevering through difficult days.
For instance, the single parent who juggles multiple responsibilities, the employee who tries their best while navigating uncertainty at work, or the caregiver who looks after ageing parents.
Indeed, these stories rarely make headlines. They do not attract likes, shares, or public recognition. Many of these individuals may not even see themselves as successful. Yet their resilience deserves acknowledgement.
As we reach the midpoint of 2026, after racing through the first six months of the year, perhaps this is a good time to pause and reflect that sometimes survival itself is an achievement. Sometimes, getting through the day is enough, and sometimes, choosing not to give up is a victory.
Equally important is learning to value yourself without being shaken by the opinions of others.
Admittedly, today’s world is louder than ever. Social media, advertisements, influencers, experts, and strangers all have opinions about how we should live.
If we listen to every voice, we risk losing our own.
That is why cultivating a healthier relationship with ourselves matters. Good mental wellbeing is not about eliminating stress entirely. Rather, it is about having an honest and compassionate conversation with ourselves; one that reminds us our worth is not measured solely by achievements, productivity, or external validation.
What matters is how we choose to live our lives in a way that is meaningful to us.
As I reflected on my daughter’s innocent remark, I realised that perhaps the most important lesson we can teach the next generation is not how to be the best. It is about learning to believe they are enough.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at Shirley.suat@gmail.com.
