How do you value yourself? Hard question isn’t it?
What are your standards to measure your value as a person, friend or even as a climber? You probably don’t know. All you have to know is you have inner value; it is not depending in external things. No need for anything else.
Sounds really easy, right?
We tend to value ourselves (and others) for the things we have. For instance, we judge the value (sometimes unconsciously) of another climber by the equipment she/he is using. If they are using one expensive brand or another, it make us think they are good because of it, or even the gear is good because they are using it. People tend to think their climbing is going to be easier or better with expensive gear, which is not true, because, as I said, our value is not depending on that. I’m not messing with the fact that a good gear is necessary in terms of quality and safety, I’m just making a point about how we identify ourselves with the things we own.
Never compare the perception of yourself based in the things you have, like money, car, properties, relations, equipment, clothes and so on.
This is obvious for almost everyone, but unconsciously it keeps running even when we know it.
But let’s twist it a little bit more. You are not even the things you do. Or the things you did.
You are not the routes you have climbed or the ones you haven’t. You are not your work; you are not your friends, your family, your trips or your pictures. You are you, and you are in a journey to discover it. For real. Not based in illusions and external things.
Try to build your self-perception based in you possibilities, in the faith on your growth ability, enjoying and doing your best at every moment, no matter the circumstances. Climb and enjoy the wall you have close to your city or town as if it were the one you are dreaming, enjoy every minute breathing the mountains air with friends, climbing partners and random people and live the moment to the fullest embracing your inner worth.