People naturally evaluate their self-worth through external validation and social roles, which makes dealing with change difficult when those roles are removed.

“and whether we do it with our families whether we do it through our children whether we do it through our bank balance whatever we do it through we all find it through some external validation”

It is safer to base one's self-worth on core personal values, or the 'why' behind one's actions, rather than on specific roles or external outcomes.

“One way to have a more secure self-identity is to anchor anchor yourself not simply to what you do, but to why you do that thing.”

Riz Ahmed holds that external achievements do not provide genuine soul-level nourishment, and he advocates for finding a sense of flow over chasing those markers.

“They don't nourish you on a soul level, those external things. I think what we're searching for as artists, as storytellers, as actors, but really any of us is a sense of flow.”

Julia Fox believes individuals should embrace their authentic, messy, and unique qualities rather than trying to fit in or dim their light for others.

“I think you you have to be extra and you have to be cringe and you have to be yourself. It's the only way you can really live authentically.”