Psychology

Why Shame is The Ugliest Self Enemy?

It simply prevents us from being ourselves.

Ali Alzahrani, Ph.D
Alfajer
Published in
5 min readMay 14, 2024

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Photo by Asher Legg on Unsplash

In this modern world, which is filled with expectations and comparisons, we may feel like we are not good enough. Therefore, we may become shameful. It is a natural feeling and a normal consequence. Shame becomes a shadow that follows us everywhere, telling us that we should be different, better, or like someone else. But what if we could step out from under that shadow and into the light of our true selves?

In the context of our shame discussion, the words of Friedrich Nietzsche, a well-known philosopher, resonate deeply. Nietzsche’s philosophy suggests that true freedom lies in being unashamed of our true selves. Imagine a life where the opinions of others hold no power, and you are completely at ease and proud in your own skin. This, according to Nietzsche, is what true freedom looks like.

According to Nietzsche, freedom is not doing whatever we please but living authentically, in line with our values. Each of us is a seed capable of growing into a unique, beautiful tree. However, if we’re impacted by the shadow of shame, our potential may never fully blossom. Shame, in this sense, becomes a barrier to our personal growth and self-acceptance.

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Ali Alzahrani, Ph.D
Alfajer

Engineer and researcher, pens insightful pieces on Medium about life philosophies, cinema, health, and culture. Inquiries: aliwritesaz@gmail.com