For most of us, I think, the issue is not our minds telling us we are worthless. - it’s the perception of the outside world telling us we are worthless. It’s when you pour your heart and soul into a project - a piece of art, a business, an essay; anything - presenting it to the world, and getting nothing back. The message is clear (and painful): the thing you created holds no value. Provides no value. Worthless.

The only way to overcome this is to have an unwavering, borderline delusional sense of self-worth and progress. Like: it’s OK if you don’t see it. I see it. I know what this is. I know what it took to get to this. I know that this has meaning and purpose and value. And I know that from this, as far from perfect as it may be, I can, and will, go even further.

If, in this situation, you submit your perception to the world, to the outside markers, you’ve lost. Because your perception and your willpower is the line of defence that keeps you from quitting. It’s hard enough for your soul and inspiration to survive against the popular opinion. If both outside voices and your inside voices are telling you that you’re worthless, then you have failed. That’s a loss you may not recuperate from.

The key here is that you have to be somewhat aware of the fact that you are being delusional, that you’re not actually there yet. Those delusions cannot evolve into expectations. Otherwise you’re setting yourself up for a whole lot of disappointment.