Not taking other people’s opinions into consideration requires a high level of emotional intelligence and strength.
Do you think you have it?
At the end of the day, we are all a little concerned about how people see us. More or less, we want to be perceived by others in a positive manner. We work hard on ourselves to be appreciated, respected, and loved.
We take care of our appearance and our intellectual capacity not only to feel good about ourselves but also to impress the ones we spend time with.
But is it worth it?
Today we are constantly pressured to compare ourselves to others. In the era of social media, where everything we see is positive, blooming, and often unrealistically thriving, we just can’t help but feel as if we are not enough. People there have more exciting lifestyles, which makes us want to be just like them. Therefore, we become painfully self-conscious. We start valuing the opinions of others involuntarily in order to fit in.
What we fail to realize is that none of this matters. Others’ opinions of you don’t have the power to define who you are. Only you have that power.
Life is not about following trends and copying the lives of social media celebrities that don’t even know you exist. Life is about being present at the moment, appreciating what you have, and being there for the ones you love, including yourself. You need to be spending your days the way you want to, not the way you think others would approve. You should invest in your personal growth rather than unnecessary designer items.
Living the life you design for yourself is millions of times more satisfying than following someone else’s lead.
Frankly, putting others’ happiness before your own is not always an act of benevolence. Sometimes it could be an act of stupidity. Being someone else just to please the ones around you is senseless, especially if this someone else doesn’t make you happy. If you know in your heart this persona is simply not you, and the way it makes you look defies everything you believe in, then it is just not worth the effort.
The magic of standing out for who you are and what you believe in is mesmerizing. Being free to express yourself and the way you see the world around you is a freedom like no other.
So what if others don’t like what you have to say? You don’t need to be right all the time. You don’t have to be flawless or reasonable with every word you say and every action you take. Moreover, you are not obligated to fit into someone else’s perception of life. You have your own life with your own decisions to make and your own mistakes to learn from.
Besides, don’t forget that no one would post about their family trauma, their financial problems, or their mental health issues on social media. Everyone there tries to present their life as perfect as possible. They boast about their new cars, the lavish destinations they visit, and the fancy restaurants they go to. However, they don’t show you what happens after the camera stops filming.
The hottest influencer you follow may feel and live more miserably than you. But this doesn’t mean you should be glad that the people you look up to may be struggling. The point is that every single person has their own issues to deal with.
We are all in the same mess called life, and we are all handling it differently.
So, stop trying to please others, and start living the way you want to. Instead of following trends, follow your dreams. Instead of being someone you’re not, fall in love with the person you are. Because that person is outstanding. And when you learn to appreciate the fact that there is only one of you in this world, you will get a step closer to finally feeling good in your own skin.
Shifting your mindset from a people-pleaser to a confident individual is not going to happen overnight, but it is definitely worth the energy. Embracing your true nature will surely be the best decision you will ever make. And when you do, you will attract mindful people with personality traits you actually admire. They will accept and appreciate you just as you are.
You are amazing in your own unique, limited edition way. Don’t let society tell you any differently. Go after your goals, ambitions, and dreams passionately, even if others try to put you down. The right ones will always stand by your side and support you no matter what.
One last thing: Remember that happiness is contagious. So do the things that make YOU happy, and the ones you love will follow.
