You must never pay attention to what other people have to say about your life.
If you often catch yourself wondering what someone might say or think of the way you dress, the opinions you have, and the choices you make, you need to stop immediately. When you become preoccupied with what other people think, you stop living. You miss out on opportunities that might make your life better simply because you would prefer to fit in. You do not wear the clothes that make you happy because you are afraid of standing out. You do not voice your thoughts and concerns because you fear that people will judge you. When you live your life this way, you miss out on happiness. No matter what you do, there will always be rumors and gossip; therefore, you might as well do what makes you happy.
There are 5 reasons why you should not care about what people think.
1. People will always talk.
Whether you fit in or stand out, people will always find something to talk about. They might criticize and judge you behind your back while pretending to be your friends. Alternatively, they might be open about the way they disapprove of you. In any case, their opinions do not matter. Today, they may talk about you. Tomorrow, they will gossip about somebody else. This is a fact that you cannot change — all you can do is change the way you feel about it.
2. Nobody knows your journey.
People who have just met you do not know what you have been through and what your story is. All they know is what they currently see. Therefore, the assumptions they make and the opinions they have are completely irrelevant (and more often than not, wrong).
3. You will never please everyone.
If you live your life trying to please all of the people around you, you will never be happy. The only person you should aim to please is yourself. Understand that no matter what you do and say, someone out there will be unhappy. Instead of wasting your time and effort on people who do not matter, focus on yourself and what makes you feel content.
4. No two people are the same.
Whatever you do in life, there will always be someone who claims that you are making a mistake. It is important to note that this person might actually be trying to protect you. If your friends try to discourage you from doing something you feel passionate about, they might be doing so out of fear that you will end up getting hurt. However, the truth is that no two people are the same. In other words, what’s good for you might not be good for somebody else. Instead of listening to others and trying to live by their rules, do what feels right to you. Otherwise, you will end up resenting them.
5. Your value does not depend on others.
The way others view you does not decrease your self-worth or value. They may think that you are not clever enough, not attractive enough, or not successful enough. They can say negative things and try to tear you down. None of this makes any difference. Whatever they think and whatever they believe does not change your value.