The world we live in today is mostly make-believe. From the moment we’re born until the day we die, we rely on stories—told by people around us or broadcast by society at large.

We come into this world with a blank slate, unbiased and trusting the world. Nothing is preloaded. Everything—right from who we are, to what’s right or wrong—is taught to us. And as we grow, some of it turns out to be true, but a lot of it doesn’t. When things fall apart, we either blame the world… or worse, blame ourselves.

We’re told our parents have our best interests at heart. That friends will stand by us, that relatives will show up when we need them, that schools will shape us, and that governments exist to safeguard our lives and well-being. But reality? Often very different. Friends betray. Relatives disappear. Schools turn into profit machines. And governments—run by people like you and me—fail as often as they function.

And in this world of uncertainty, guess who thrives? The ones who can spin a good story. The ones who can sell a belief—true or false—with confidence. The ones who make you believe they have the answers. Not all of them are frauds, of course. Some build great things. Some governments do progress. And many parents go above and beyond for their children.

But let’s not kid ourselves—there are far more charlatans out there today than ever before. They exist in every corner: builders, schools, corporates, governments… even in your own circle of friends and family. They smile, they talk big, and they win your trust—until one day they crush it. And often, they crush your spirit with it.

So how do you survive in a world like this? A world that is increasingly run on illusion, presentation, and perception?

By turning that same power of “make-believe” inwards.

This is not the age to be shy. Not the time to be doubtful. Because the world doesn’t have the patience for hesitation anymore. This is a ‘make-believe’ age so you have to make yourself believe in ‘You’. That you know right from wrong, that you know who is looking out for you and the ones out to get you, and most importantly you have to make yourself believe that you have all the answers. The only person you can truly trust—maybe the only person who’s ever really had your back—is you. And the sooner you believe that, the better.

Sound harsh? Uncomfortable? If you’re squirming right now, you’re exactly the person who needs to hear this. Because those who aren’t phased by any of this? They’ve already cracked the code. They already believe in themselves, even if it’s all smoke and mirrors. And these are the people you live among, work with, report to, and sometimes look up to.

It’s not about lying to yourself. It’s about choosing to believe in yourself when nobody else will. Yes, you might actually have all the answers—or at least, more than you give yourself credit for. The only thing stopping you is your own uncertainty. And sadly, in today’s world, doubt is no longer a virtue. It’s seen as weakness. Something to be discarded.

Look around—scroll through LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram. Everyone’s so certain. So convinced. So polished. Nobody stops to wonder if they might be wrong or misleading others—or themselves. And ironically, the world laps it up. Confidence sells. Doubt doesn’t.

Books written by AI about how AI will destroy us? Bestsellers. Countries go to war without a shred of solid proof. Life coaches with broken personal lives tell millions how to live. Influencers push products they don’t use. And “gurus” speak with authority on tech that’s barely two years old. And we? We buy into it.

So if this world is running on belief—then make yourself believe in something that supports you. Believe in your strength. In your gut. In your resilience. In the fact that you’ve survived enough crap to know what matters.

As Charles Bukowski said:

“The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts, while the stupid ones are full of confidence.”

He’s right. But here’s the thing: you still need to survive in this world. Which means you need to act. Stop waiting for the world to validate you. It won’t.

Believe in yourself—not because it’s guaranteed to work, but because it’s the only way you’ll stand a chance in a world where everyone else already does.