Self-esteem: Are you warm-blooded or cold-blooded?

I recently watched a video by one of my favourite YouTubers, Shallon Lester where she tried to explain the use of internal and external validation as the source of our self-esteem. She termed those who sought internal validation as warm-blooded and those who sought external validation as cold-blooded. 

In biology class, we were taught that warm-blooded creatures are able to regulate their own body temperature, whereas cold-blooded animals rely on their surroundings for temperature regulation.

This got me thinking about myself and whether I am cold-blooded or warm-blooded.

Shallon compared two celebrities. One of them, let's call her A, has a certain ‘quiet’ confidence and an unbothered aura. She is self-aware and confident in who she is. She lives her life without seeking the approval of her fans. She isn't afraid of criticism. Shallon referred to celebrity A as warm-blooded since she regulated her own temperature i.e. her own self-esteem. 

Celebrity B on the other hand uses her social media pages as platforms to constantly try and prove herself. She seems to lack confidence in herself and wants to get the approval of her fans. She even goes as far as getting surgical enhancements, posting provocative photos and even perfecting her photos with Photoshop to make herself appear perfect. Celebrity B, Shallon argues, cannot do anything that her fans would question. She does not regulate herself and is thus, cold-blooded.

Shallon’s observation was eye-opening and it has helped me look for the source of my confidence. I’m not a very active social media user but, even in the real world, I have learnt how to be my own person and regulate my own temperature.

You don’t need a pat on the back to know that you’re doing just fine. When you already love your life, criticism and judgement will never affect you. Carry out a self-analysis and find out whether you are warm-blooded or cold-blooded.