Remove People From The Pedestal
Have you ever admired someone so much that you believed they had wisdom or power you could never access? When our self-esteem is shaky, it’s so easy to give our power away and put others on a pedestal. This is why it’s important to question:
Who benefits when I don’t trust myself?
Who have I put on a pedestal in my life?
What do I admire about them?
When we elevate someone to a status of inherent superiority, we risk outsourcing our wisdom. We begin to rely on their advice, their validation, or their perspective over our own.
While this may seem harmless at first, over time, it can create a disconnection from your own inner knowing and looking outside of ourselves for answers.
The Dangers of Outsourcing Your Wisdom
Disconnection from Yourself
When you believe someone else knows better than you, it becomes harder to hear your own inner voice. You might start doubting your instincts, ignoring what feels right, or second-guessing decisions that come from within. Over time, this erodes trust in yourself.
Loss of Agency
Relying too heavily on someone else for guidance can make you feel disempowered. Instead of feeling like the driver of your own life, you may find yourself waiting for their direction. This leads to a sense of passivity, helplessness, and difficulty making decisions without their input.
Vulnerability to Manipulation
Some people thrive on being placed on a pedestal because it gives them control. They may subtly (or not so subtly) undermine your confidence or create a dependency on their perspective. This dynamic can be harmful, leaving you feeling small while they appear larger-than-life.
Are They Supportive or Overpowering?
It’s important to surround yourself with people who uplift and empower you, rather than those who diminish you. Here’s how to tell the difference:
Supportive People:
• Encourage you to trust yourself
• Offer guidance when asked but respect your decisions
• Empower you to take ownership of your choices
• Remind you of your strengths and abilities
Overpowering People:
• Position themselves as having all the answers
• Dismiss or invalidate your perspective
• Make you feel small or incapable
• Require you to rely on their approval or direction
Remember…
Admiring others is natural. Learning from their strengths can help us grow. But no one has access to wisdom, compassion, or insight that you can’t cultivate in yourself. The next time you find yourself putting someone on a pedestal, take a step back and ask:
Am I valuing their guidance, or am I giving away my power?
Reclaim your agency. Trust your inner voice. You already have the wisdom you need. It may feel buried under layers of doubt or external influence, but it’s there. Reconnecting with it takes intention and practice.