Between Ego and Self-defense

I'm suddenly in a position that makes me ask about "Is it ego or just self-defense?" Then I try to find the answer. First, let's just think deeper about the main situation. Am I in the situation that I need to prove myself, or am I just trying to set the exact boundaries? The more I think about it, the more I understand the difference between those two things. Ego and self-defense can be the source of misunderstanding in certain situations. Ego refers to our sense of self-importance, identity, or kind of 'self-worth' things. It could be the part of ourselves that seeks validation and recognition. Our behaviors that are driven by ego often come from pride, insecurity, and desire to elevate our self-image. On the other side, self-defense is more like an action to protect ourselves either physically or emotionally from external harm or threats. Actions that we do as self-defense are driven by our need for safety, justice, or maintaining the boundaries. But we can...