Leave It To Naomi Osaka To Inspire The "Absolute Legends" Among Us To Be A Little Nicer To Ourselves

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Naomi Osaka is spending some time reflecting on her incredible journey this year.

  Tpn / Getty Images
Tpn / Getty Images

The athlete penned a touching letter on Instagram that was both honest about her struggles with imposter syndrome and a reminder to treat yourself kindly.

"Some tennis memories over the past year that mean a lot to me," she captioned the screenshot of her notes app message titled "Hi."

  Kena Betancur / AFP via Getty Images
Kena Betancur / AFP via Getty Images

She started the message saying, “I’ve been reflecting over this past year. So grateful for the people around me because the support I feel is completely unparalleled.”

She went on to explain how she's been spent some time looking within and discovering some of the reasons behind certain actions.

Naomi smiling on the tennis court
Kena Betancur / AFP via Getty Images

"Recently I’ve been asking myself why do I feel the way I do and I realized one of the reasons is because internally I think I’m never good enough," she wrote. "I’ve never told myself that I’ve done a good job, but I do know I constantly tell myself that I suck or I could do better."

While I still think Naomi is beyond humble and gracious, she also revealed that she's used that as a wall in the past.

  Dylan Buell / Getty Images
Dylan Buell / Getty Images

“I know in the past, some people have called me humble," she shared. "But if I really consider it I think I’m extremely self-deprecating. Every time a new opportunity arises my first thought is, 'wow, why me?'"

Since stepping away from the French Open in May, Naomi has been more honest about her mental health.

  Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

“I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’m gonna try to celebrate myself and my accomplishments more, I think we all should,” she shared. “You got up in the morning and didn’t procrastinate on something? Champion. Figured something out at work that’s been bugging you for a while? Absolute legend. Your life is your own and you shouldn’t value yourself on other people’s standards.”

She ended her thought with an encouraging message about where she will go from here.

  Kena Betancur / Afp/AFP via Getty Images
Kena Betancur / Afp/AFP via Getty Images

“I know I give my heart to everything I can and if that’s not good enough for some then my apologies," she said. "But I can’t burden myself with those expectations anymore. Seeing everything that’s going on in the world I feel like if I wake up in the morning that’s a win. That’s how I’m coming.”