Not everyone will get you. Everybody will have an opinion on you no matter what you do so you might as well live your life on your own terms. Here are 4 signs you care too much about what others think and how to stop.
1. You feel guilty about your interests or hobbies
Maybe one of your hobbies involves a lot of hi-tech gadgets or expensive sports equipment. Maybe you like to travel a few times a year to feed your sense of wanderlust.
Even though you don’t harm or burden anyone in the process, you don’t want people to think that all you do is waste money. The very thought of it stresses you out and sometimes you feel guilty for going all out when it comes to something you’re truly passionate about.
Let people talk about you and say what they want. At the end of the day, what matters is your own happiness. Stop feeling guilty for doing the things that you love. Always remember that people do not need to understand your journey.
You only get one life and you have the right to do what makes you happy.
“When you do not seek or need approval, you are at your most powerful.”
2. You feel the need to tell white lies
You are afraid that people might not be able to accept the whole truth, so you keep certain things to yourself and make up stories. You just don’t want to deal with their comments and would rather tell white lies in order to do the things that you want to do.
You alter the truth because you want to fit in. You don’t want to be the odd one out. You need to feel accepted. The next time you feel the urge to hide the truth, remind yourself that you’re an adult and you shouldn’t have to go through all that trouble just to please others.
It’s your life. If people worry too much, then just prove to them that you have what it takes to succeed or accomplish your goals.
3. You need approval or validation before doing something
You try to please others even if it makes you unhappy. You can’t bring yourself to do anything without getting approval from the important people in your life. You won’t feel at ease until you get the green light to go ahead with your plans or make your dreams come true. You need validation even when you know in your heart that it’s the right thing to do.
Stop living for others and start living for yourself. Do what makes you happy simply because you owe it to yourself to find out what you’re really capable of. Don’t give people the power to dictate your life. They may think they know what’s best for you, but you will never learn or grow without taking the plunge.
Trust your own decisions. Even if things go wrong, at least you know you tried.
“Respect yourself to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you or make you happy.“
4. You stress about how others would react
You think too much about what you want to say because you are terrified of how people might react. You filter your words. You don’t want to appear weak or offend others. You prefer not to announce something in front of a group of people because you would rather not have them attack you with their opinions.
Just remember that people will always have something to say about you, so try to relax and be yourself. There is no point in wasting your energy on something you cannot control. It’s your journey so focus on your own needs instead of worrying about other people.
“If you really want to be strong, stop caring about what others think about you. Living your life has nothing to do with what others think.” –Saitama
Don’t be afraid to follow your heart and go after what you want. Stay true to yourself!
