Are insecurities a bad thing?

[SamePendo]

Last month I remember dreaming about seeing myself in the mirror, and looking at my skinny arm, and my shoulder, they were so skinny. I remember thinking "I have to go tomorrow to the gym and give it my all so I'm not skinny anymore.

I remember reading here in the site about guys giving their theories on why greats like Albert Einstein, the guy that cut his ear, George Bush, Tiger Woods, Michael Jackson, Bill Gates, were AFCs. How they were so insecure and frustrated by women and society etc.

Lately I've been embracing my inner "frustrated and insecure chump" side of me. Really embracing and welcoming him into me. When Im in the gym, I need to be angry, frustrated, to lift heavy. Right now I have sleeping issues, like sleeping 3 hours a day, I'm so focused on my art (work). There are so many things to create and do (other than women ofcourse) that I'd love to never sleep and just keep going.

I feel like people (guys) waste their time having "fun", going to bars and all. While they are having fun, spending money on overprized alcohol beverages and big warehouses with cool lighting, I'm thinking about layouts for my website, ways of reaching out to more future costumers in the least expensive way, eating healthy, and/or resting.

And I think this love for creation, and work, is because, I think, I think I am not good enough. Not good enough for any woman, not good enough friend, son, brother. Not good enough at what I do, and I have to do it over and over again until I am somewhat good. As well as my love for the gym, it derives from me being skinny as fvck growing up. I sometimes want to be the best, but also want to just be "good enough" some times.

Now, the point I'm trying to make, is that, insecurities are maybe not bad. What you do with them is what important. You can just forget about them and go out and have some fun, or you can use them to build something more than money, create machines, art, etc. I prefer being insecure, frustrated, than being "normal". If the greats I mentioned at the beginning are AFCs, Id like to be the biggest AFC of all times.

 

[Jitterbug]

There's a world of difference between insecurity and knowing your weakness (and current limit).

 

[Luthor Rex]

You're not the first person to notice the link between negative psychological states as the fuel for achievement. Here is one book on that topic:

Lincoln's Melancholy: How Depression Challenged a President and Fueled His Greatness

"The message from this original biography is powerful. By accepting one's humanity, we can actually grow. Some serious introspection even if painful is actually good for you. There is no need to medicate all your blues away. You may actually learn and grow for them. And, what Lincoln dealt with was not just the occasional blues. As depicted by the author, based on thorough historical research, he had a very serious case of depression. There is little doubt that nowadays he would be treated with anti-depressants. But, his life's achievements clearly question whether our modern psychiatric-pharmaceutical treatment is the best course.

In our contemporary culture it is a prerequisite to be an optimist and deliver the most upbeat message to be electable. But, is this the best way to choose a President? The author suggests otherwise. Referring to historians' researches, he mentions that many of our greatest minds were afflicted by more than a temporal case of the blues. Charles Darwin being a case in point. The author also mentions psychological research on perception of reality between optimists and others (slightly depressed or pessimists). Invariably, the optimists tested poorly with a more delusional perception of reality than the others less upbeat individuals."

 

[ThreeStorms]

There have always been people, scientists, engineers, artists etc. that sacrify personal life and help advance humanity as a whole. The interesting thing is that many of them aren't selfless at all; rather, they are totally obsessed with their work. They achieve in one year what others achieve in a lifetime.

I have the slight fear that these people become more and more rare with all the immense distractions of modern life.

However, I wouldn't equal a life of hard work with insecurity; it's just that your priorites are different than those of the masses.

 

[Proselytiser]

Insecurity should be a motivator to improve on what you are insecure about. That is the only way they could be anything other than a bad thing...

 

[justinsane]

I think insecurity is caused by loneliness and immaturity. At least that I admit how I feel in my life right now. The past can really help develop and define your character.