Recently, many people have been talking to me about the anxiety of "being copied," so today I want to share something different.

Some "copying" is not about replicating content, but about chasing recognition.

Many people think that being imitated is a capital worth showing off.

But in fact, being imitated to a certain extent only means one thing:

The path you have taken has become an answer that others "must reference."

The kind of imitation that truly matters is not the kind from beginners.

Rather, it comes from those who are originally stronger and seem more stable than you.

They start to quietly use your methods to narrate their old content; they repackage their old ideas by borrowing your rhythm and structure; they even use your thoughts to do what they excel at.

This is not plagiarism, but that sense of familiarity comes from you.

You may feel briefly confused:

Aren't they more experienced and powerful than I am?

Why are they looking back at me?

But soon you will understand:

They are not regressing; you have simply stepped into a level that was not originally yours but you were destined to reach.

That is a silent struggle that only occurs among the strong.

They may not necessarily acknowledge you,

But they begin to pay attention to your movements.

They no longer care just about who you are, but are focused on what you have made as an "unignorable judgment."

At this time, what you should do is not to shout out or defend yourself, but to quietly tell yourself:

Keep going.

Continue doing those things that only you can understand; continue walking on paths that have no footprints yet; continue sculpting your understanding to a height that others can see but cannot touch.

Because the deeper you go, the more they can only imitate the shadow of your journey.

You may not be the one who is publicly recognized, but you are the one they have to take a glance at.

And this is more precious than being acknowledged.