Strong ego is hard to dissolve. Cocky narcissists have strong egos. Ripe ego is weak ego. “Developing” ego is shedding ego, not strengthening ego. Ego “ripens” and sheds as you go through life learning to do what you like, learning to love, learning to be autonomous, not looking up to authority, dealing with your emotional issues, your depressions, your losses, your tragedies, learning to be true to yourself regardless of what others say. Slowly realizing that it’s all up to you, and no one else. And no one will ultimately tell you how to live your life.

That’s a weak ego, not a strong one. That’s why older people are often times (not always) more chill and wise. They have gone through a lot of this shit, and realize that their life will soon be over, so they don’t stress over stupid stuff such as how other people view them, or what’s the right way to be.