We have a strange habit as humans: we’re often the worst judges of ourselves. We downplay our strengths, overlook our progress, and accept a version of ourselves that’s far smaller than reality. It’s almost ironic - everyone around us can see our talent, kindness, resilience, or brilliance, yet we struggle to recognize it.
The truth is, we aren’t alone in this.
Even butterflies - those symbols of transformation and beauty - can’t see their own colors. Their wings, painted in patterns so vibrant they amaze the world, are invisible to them. They flutter through life radiating beauty they’ll never fully appreciate.
And in a way… so do we.
The Beauty You Can’t See in Yourself
If you’ve ever stood in front of a mirror feeling inadequate or fallen into the trap of comparing yourself to someone else’s highlight reel, remember this:
You are not seeing yourself the way the world sees you.
Friends see your loyalty.
Family sees your strength.
Strangers may see confidence you don’t even know you have.
People you’ve helped remember the impact you made long after you’ve forgotten.
But when you’re the one living life from the inside looking out, it’s easy to fixate on flaws, mistakes, and imperfections. You see every doubt, every insecurity, every moment you wish you handled differently. Those internal moments distort your perception - just like a butterfly who will never see the wings the rest of us admire.
Self-Criticism Is a Habit - Not a Truth
Many of us have developed a lifelong habit of being hard on ourselves. Not because we deserve criticism, but because we believe it keeps us sharp, humble, or “realistic.”
Yet in reality, harsh self-judgment rarely pushes us forward - it holds us back.
If you spoke to a friend the way you speak to yourself, would they feel encouraged… or crushed?
Imagine if the butterfly refused to fly because it thought its wings weren’t good enough.
That’s what we do when we hide our talents, silence our voice, or shrink ourselves to avoid judgment. We deny the world something only we can bring.
You Deserve to See Yourself Clearly
Confidence isn’t about arrogance.
It’s about accuracy - seeing yourself the way others already do.
If the butterfly could see what we see, it would understand how stunning it truly is. Likewise, if you could see yourself from the outside:
You’d realize how strong you’ve become from everything you’ve endured.
You’d notice the countless ways you bring joy, support, or inspiration to others.
You’d appreciate the unique combination of experiences, scars, lessons, and dreams that make you irreplaceable.
You are doing better than you think.
You are further along than you give yourself credit for.
And you matter more than you may ever fully realize.
Let This Be Your Reminder
Next time you start doubting yourself - your worth, your abilities, your progress - picture the butterfly.
It doesn’t need to see its colors to be beautiful.
And you don’t need to be perfect to be worthy.
Give yourself permission to stop being your own biggest critic.
Allow yourself to grow, to try, to fail, to rise again - just like the butterfly.
Transformation isn’t just about becoming something new. It’s about finally recognizing who you’ve been all along.
Final Thought
You may not always see the beauty in yourself, but others do - every single day.
And sometimes, all we need is a gentle reminder:
You are more beautiful, more capable, and more extraordinary than you realize.
Just because you can’t see your wings… doesn’t mean they’re not there.