Life is too short to worry about what other people think
Life is too short to worry about what other people think.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: life is too damn short to waste worrying about what other people think of you. But we still do it. We become preoccupied with what other people think, strive for acceptance, and attempt to live up to expectations that were never our own in the first place. The worst part is that nobody is actually listening to you as much as you believe they are.
At one time or another, we have all been caught in this trap. "What if they don't like my outfit?" is the voice in your head. or "What if everyone sees me fail?" or worse, "What if they believe I'm not sufficient?" In actuality, most people are so preoccupied with their own problems that they hardly pay attention to what you're doing, much less condemn you for it.
Therefore, why waste your valuable time and effort worrying about what other people think?
The Need for Approval is a Trap
One of the most limiting things you can do to yourself is to feel the need for approval from other people. It prevents you from pursuing your true goals. Instead of living genuinely, it keeps you confined to a box and forces you to live up to expectations. It causes you to reconsider your choices and refrain from taking chances. Worst of all, it robs you of your happiness.
The harsh reality is that people will always have an opinion, regardless of what you do. There will always be critics, judges, and those who don't understand. And it's okay. Let them speak. Let them make the judgment. You have nothing to do with it.
You will never be content if you live your life trying to live up to everyone else's expectations. Trying to please everyone but yourself will make you a puppet.
Why the Greatest Freedom Is to Care Less
Something amazing occurs when you stop caring about what other people think: You become free. You begin living for your own approval and cease living for the approval of others. You allow yourself to be unapologetically yourself, to fail, to succeed, and to make mistakes.
This is the source of genuine confidence. Being confident isn't about entering a room knowing that everyone is staring at you with admiration; rather, it's about entering a room and not caring if anyone is watching. It's about accepting yourself for who you are, despite your messiness, flaws, or uniqueness. And you know what? The right people will come into your life if you have that kind of energy.
How to Let Go of What Others Think
Give Up Looking for Outside Validation
To feel good about yourself, don't wait for approval from others. The only person who can determine your value is you. Examine yourself. Accept your individuality. You will feel less of a need for approval from others the more you affirm yourself. Although it requires practice, it is worthwhile.
Dispute the Narratives in Your Mind
Those concerns that others are evaluating you? Often, they are merely tales you tell yourself. "What evidence do I have that people are actually thinking these things?" ask yourself. Most of the time, you'll discover that you're merely making up scenarios in your head that have no bearing on reality. Disprove those ideas. Give them no more power over you.
Be in the company of positive people.
It's time to reevaluate your social circle if you're surrounded by people who are always criticizing or making you feel inferior. Look for people who accept you with all of your imperfections, who value you for who you are, and who support your personal development. These individuals are important.
The Strength of Self-Sufficiency
You start living for yourself when you stop caring about what other people think. You begin acting on your desires rather than out of fear of criticism. You take risks that advance your growth, follow your passions, and dress however you feel most comfortable.
The bottom line is that you are not here to fulfill the expectations of other people. Regardless of what other people may think, you are here to live your life as you see fit, to follow your own path, and to make the decisions that bring you contentment and serenity.
So don't worry. Quit thinking too much. Live for yourself.