Are you overly concerned about what other people think of you? if so, you need to know how to stop caring what others think. I know – easier said than done. But I’m sticking with it.
The more you can stop caring about what others think, the more you can start to enjoy your own life.
No more second-guessing if you should do something when you know you should. Less sleepless nights worrying about others’ opinions. No more living life half-heartedly according to other people’s ways.
Instead, you do things that give you joy. You make choices that fuel your fulfillment. You design the life that you want that makes you glow with the type of positive energy that rubs off on everyone around you.
Now don’t get me wrong here. It’s ok for people to want to give their advice and tips to you – it’s a natural part of human nature.
It’s ok to listen to what people have to say as some of them might genuinely be trying to help you. You might even be asking for feedback and opinions to make a more informed decision, and hence their comments are very welcome.
Related: On Having the Courage to Disappoint Your Family to Be True to Yourself
But it’s not ok for people to aggressively share their opinions without thinking about how it affects the person on the receiving end. It’s not ok for them to expect you to nod your head and simply say yes to make them happy. That, I think, is just silly. And that is when you really have to stop caring what others think.
Here’s why:
1. It’s your life and hence your business – not theirs.
Everyone has a right to an opinion – both you and everyone else. However, when it comes to your life, only your opinion and your view matter. You’re the only one who needs to make peace with your choices.
2. You know what’s best for you – not them.
You know yourself best. Nobody can argue with that. You know what makes you feel good, what inspires you, and what dreams you want to go after. Because of that, you know best what works best for you.
Related: 13 Everyday Struggles Of A Straightforward Person
3. It’s impossible to please everybody.
Try living life according to someone else’s terms and you’ll quickly realize it’s impossible. Why? Because there are about 100 people to please and they are all asking you to do something different. Hence, there’s no point in even trying to please anyone except you. If you’re happy, people around you will be happier too.
4. You’re stuck with the end result.
That’s right. If you make decisions or choices based on other people’s opinions even when they don’t feel right to you, you’re stuck with the end result yet nobody else is. And then, you have nobody else to blame but yourself. Lesson learned: don’t listen to others. Listen to your inner guidance instead.
5. You, your life, and your choices are not responsible for other people’s happiness.
You are not responsible for anyone’s happiness but your own. You are not responsible for making choices that other people want you to make in order to fuel their happiness. The only person’s happiness you’re responsible for is your own.
Yes, be kind and generous.
Be diplomatic and non-judgmental.
Do look at the big picture. Don’t become overly selfish. And, finally, do consider how your choices affect your loved ones. Most importantly, remember that your loved ones want you to make the choices that make you happy.
Don’t be fooled by the idea that what job you take, where you live, or what lifestyle you choose will hurt someone else.
They won’t. On the other hand, if you don’t stop caring what other people think, and you keep living life according to other people’s terms, you will be the one that’s hurting like hell.
Related: How to Start All over and Rebuild Your Life from Scratch
Something that has really helped me to make peace with this is this beautiful meditation of words which I adapted from Soul Consciousness Coach Jessica Reid’s tips to me. Whenever you feel like you’re drowning in other people’s opinions, meditate on this whilst focusing on the people whose opinions are affecting you:
I send you love and light. I wish you can find your own alignment and happiness on your own terms. I love you but I’m doing what’s right for me.
That’s my take on my journey of maneuvering opinions. I hope it helps you, at least a little bit, to stop caring about what others think.
If you liked this post, please do share it, like it, tweet it, all of it – I really appreciate it 🙂
With that, I wish you good luck in your adventures and until next time!
With love, light, and happiness,
x Susanna
This article, written by Susanna Halonen,
originally appeared on The Happyologist blog and is republished here with a Creative Commons license.
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