When Doing Your Best Still Doesn’t Feel Like Enough
Sometimes, there's another kind of exhaustion that comes with trying your absolute best and still feeling like it isn't enough. It's that constant thought of I could've done better than this. Not the kind of reflection that helps you recognise your weaknesses and work on them, but the kind that makes you overlook the genuine effort you've put in and focus only on what you think you could've done better.
I've observed students who put in their best efforts, trying to identify the areas they need to work on and reach the level they know they're capable of. Yet, instead of recognising their progress, they get caught up in overthinking and considering every possible worst-case scenario.
And sometimes, the pressure builds up so much that they panic, affecting the very performance they've worked so hard for.
Their results aren't bad, but they're still disappointed in themselves because of the standards they've set. And that becomes the strangest part: doing well, yet still feeling as though it wasn't enough.
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Yeah, I'm one of those.
I'm just stuck in this loop, and it's exhausting in ways that are difficult to explain.
People only see what's on the outside, but I know what goes on underneath it all. I know the effort, the expectations, and the overthinking. I just can't seem to find that feeling of being rewarded for everything I've put in.
I won't go into much detail, but I'd still say it's incredibly difficult to go through all of this alone.
If you're one of those students, I'd genuinely love to know how you feel. I'll be ready to listen to you, no matter how messy your thoughts might be. :)
And if you've noticed someone like this, please don't overlook them. Give them time, make them feel comfortable, and try to understand what they might be going through. Sometimes, people need to feel understood rather than simply being reminded of how well they're doing.
You might just discover a whole side of someone that you never got to see.
