Mira was staring at her phone in a corner of the library. Her expression was dark.
"Mira-san," Sora called out. "What's wrong?"
Without saying anything, Mira showed the screen. A negative comment on an SNS post.
Hiyori sat next to her. "Don't worry about it too much."
"But," Mira said quietly, "maybe I'm wrong."
Sora asked quietly, "In what way do you think you're wrong?"
"Like this person says, my thinking is shallow, self-centered..."
Hiyori gently interrupted. "Mira-san, you're too sensitive to others' evaluations."
"Sensitive?"
"Dependence on external evaluation," Sora explained. "Determining self-worth based on others' evaluations."
Mira nodded. "That's definitely true."
Hiyori asked, "What did Mira-san herself think about that post?"
"When I wrote it, I thought it was good. But after seeing this comment..."
"Your evaluation changed?" Sora asked.
"Yeah. I couldn't trust my own judgment."
Sora thought. "That's because you prioritize others' evaluations over self-evaluation."
"Self-evaluation?"
"How you view yourself," Hiyori explained. "External evaluation is how others see you."
"In psychology, healthy self-worth should be based on internal standards," Sora continued.
"Internal standards?"
"Your own values and beliefs," Hiyori answered. "Relying only on external evaluation makes you unstable."
Mira asked, "But aren't others' opinions important too?"
"Of course," Sora acknowledged. "But balance is crucial."
Hiyori supplemented, "Use feedback from others as reference. But your self-worth shouldn't waver because of it."
"That's difficult," Mira murmured.
Sora asked, "Why do others' evaluations matter so much to you?"
Mira thought deeply. "Because I want approval, maybe."
"Need for approval," Hiyori nodded. "One of basic human needs."
"But if the need for approval is too strong, problems arise," Sora said.
"What kind of problems?"
"Falsifying yourself. Hiding your true self to be liked by others."
Mira said quietly, "I might be doing that."
Hiyori asked gently, "Why do you seek approval so much?"
"Because I lack confidence," Mira answered honestly. "I don't know my own worth."
"Low self-esteem," Sora diagnosed. "Trying to confirm yourself through others' evaluations."
Hiyori said, "But that's counterproductive."
"Counterproductive?"
"The more you rely on external evaluation, the lower your self-esteem becomes. Because you can't control it."
Sora supplemented, "Others' evaluations change easily. Depending on them makes you constantly unstable."
Mira took a deep breath. "Then what should I do?"
"First, find your own evaluation standards," Hiyori proposed.
"My own evaluation standards?"
"Values you cherish. Honesty, creativity, compassion, etc."
Sora added, "Evaluate yourself against those standards."
"Whatever others say, if you think it's good by your own standards, that's fine."
Mira thought. "My standards... what are they?"
Hiyori said quietly, "The journey to find that is self-understanding."
"In psychology, self-acceptance is considered important," Sora explained.
"Self-acceptance?"
"Acknowledging your imperfect self. Including strengths and weaknesses."
Mira asked, "But is it okay to ignore all criticism?"
"No," Hiyori answered. "Accept constructive criticism. But don't deny your self-worth because of it."
Sora summarized, "Separate action from character. Think 'this action can be improved,' but not 'I'm a worthless person.'"
"Separation of action and character," Hiyori nodded.
Mira brightened a bit. "So criticism is a learning opportunity, not a reason for self-denial?"
"Exactly," Sora acknowledged.
Hiyori asked, "About that post earlier, what do you yourself think? It may not be perfect, but did it convey what you wanted to say?"
Mira thought. "Yeah. I wrote what I wanted to say properly."
"Then isn't that fine?"
Mira smiled. "I see."
Sora said, "Use others' opinions as reference. But make the final judgment yourself."
"Self-determination," Hiyori added. "You are the protagonist of your own life."
Mira closed her phone. "I feel a bit lighter."
"Being swayed by others' words is natural," Sora said. "But don't stay swayed."
"Have your own axis," Hiyori summarized.
Mira asked, "How do you create that axis?"
"By taking time," Hiyori answered gently. "Facing yourself and clarifying your values."
Sora supplemented, "And accumulate small successes. That builds confidence."
The three sat quietly. Calm silence flowed in the library.
"Others' evaluation matters too. But that's not all," Mira murmured.
"Yes," Hiyori smiled. "Listen to your own voice too."
Mira opened her notebook. From today, the journey to find her own standards begins.