In each of our lives there comes a moment when one can confidently say, “I have done everything I could and should have.

Balancing Duty and Self-Perception

In each of our lives there comes a moment when one can confidently say, “I have done everything I could and should have.” Yet, this turning point is not the flash of an external epiphany, but rather the result of prolonged and in-depth self-analysis—when personal ambition gives way to a sense of inner duty. Initially, we act selflessly, immersing ourselves in activities without thinking about our own importance, and only over time does the realization emerge that fulfilling our obligations becomes not only a matter of objective assessment but also of subjective self-perception. It is at this point that the feeling of having fulfilled our duty brings emotional relief, allowing us to cease incessantly comparing ourselves with others.

However, it is important to remember that this balance is a narrow road between self-confidence and true inner strength. The transition from selfless action to a sense of duty can change our self-perception. On one hand, we experience satisfaction from the awareness that we have done everything within our power; on the other, there is a risk that our self-perception may become distorted if we focus too heavily on our own role, potentially leading to overconfidence or inner dissatisfaction. It is precisely in this contradictory process that our personality is formed, where objective evaluation and subjective feelings must go hand in hand.

Ultimately, true self-perception is born when we let go of the constant comparison with others and begin to rely on internal criteria. The awareness of duty becomes a powerful tool, helping us understand not only our own capabilities but also the true limits of our responsibility. Thus, the confidence that we have done everything possible becomes not merely the outcome of objective efforts, but a deeply personal experience that, when balanced correctly, can enrich our lives and give them new meaning.

When can one confidently say, “I have already done everything I could or should have,” and how does this affect our self-perception?

It can be assumed that the moment when a person firmly asserts, “I have already done everything I could or should have,” does not arise from a sudden epiphany or external circumstance but through a long process of inner self-analysis and understanding of one’s own abilities and responsibilities. This moment is characterized by the person ceasing to seek validation through external judgment and instead relying on their own inner feeling of having fulfilled their duty.

As emphasized in one of the excerpts from the text ( link txt):
“It would be wrong to think that I was concerned with external assessment from others. Earlier, I was naively selfless in my pursuits and completely immersed in them without thinking about myself or comparing myself with anyone around me. Of course, I was aware of some of my superiority in physics, etc., but I regarded it as something external, and therefore I was calm about both my strengths and weaknesses. Now, on the contrary, the objectivity of a thought solely focused on its subject has been lost. Once the awareness of duty emerged, the subjective side of the matter consequently gained weight.”

This clearly shows that before the emergence of a sense of duty, a person acts based on a personal, almost selfless drive. When the understanding of the necessity to fulfill one’s duty appears, both objective and subjective self-perceptions are formed. In other words, the feeling of “completion” comes simultaneously with the transition from an entirely selfless action to a sense of duty, inevitably influencing self-esteem.

At the same time, it is important to consider what impact such a perspective can have on our self-perception. As another author clarifies in the text ( link txt), “First of all, it should be noted that objective self-perception weakens and is replaced by a distorted image of our own self. One can assume that the deeper a person delves into the role they have adopted, the higher their self-confidence becomes. Thus, the desire ‘to be like everyone else,’ which is the fundamental starting point in orienting one’s personality towards conformity, transforms into the aspiration ‘to be better than everyone else,’ revealing the vices of the soul.”

These reflections suggest that the awareness “I have done everything I could or should have” is the result of a balance between an objective assessment of our capabilities and the subjective feelings generated by duty and social roles. On one hand, this feeling can bring emotional relief, making it easier to accept the choices we have made; on the other hand, if one becomes excessively absorbed in these roles, self-perception may become distorted, and the sense of having fulfilled one’s duty might escalate into overconfidence or, conversely, lead to inner dissatisfaction.

Thus, it can be said that the confidence of having done everything possible arises when you objectively assess your strength and responsibility, and, freed from the constant comparison with others, begin to rely on your internal criteria. At that point, your attitude towards yourself becomes more complex: on one hand, there is the feeling of having fulfilled your duty along with emotional satisfaction, while on the other, there is the risk of distorting your self-perception in search of validating your very self.

Supporting citation(s):
“It would be wrong to think that I was concerned with external evaluation from others. … Once the awareness of duty emerged, the subjective side of the matter consequently gained weight.” (source: link txt)
“First of all, it should be noted that objective self-perception weakens and is replaced by a distorted image of our own self. One can assume that the deeper a person delves into the role they have adopted, the higher their self-confidence becomes. Thus, the desire ‘to be like everyone else,’ which is the fundamental starting point in orienting one’s personality towards conformity, transforms into the aspiration ‘to be better than everyone else,’ revealing the vices of the soul.” (source: link txt)