Chances are that most of us have been taught the importance of “being yourself” and not caring what other people think since grade school. However, peer pressure and the desire to fit in with the cool crowd means that the opposite is often true. We put on a facade and shape ourselves to conform with the expectations of society.
While most of this drama ended in high school, social media and the age of instant gratification mean that adulthood just became high school again. From a day at the gym to an exotic beach vacation, people are willing to share the most intimate details of their lives on social media. All in the hopes of getting a like and impressing some nameless stranger on the Internet.
This thirst for external validation causes many of us to derive happiness and confidence from the approval of others. Society’s opinion of us controls our every decision. Every step becomes fraught with the fear of judgement. This is why it’s important that you live your life the way you want to. People will judge you anyway.
So, here are four reasons why you should stop caring about what others think of you.
1. It’s Your Life
At the end of the day, you can’t please everyone. Hence, you might as well have a great time. To quote a wise person, “sometimes, you need to take responsibility for your own happiness.” This means being happy by yourself and not having to rely upon others to make you happy.
Thus, if you spend your life seeking validation from others, you will never achieve the satisfaction that you’re looking for. While you may feel pressured to live your life the way others want you to, always remember that they won’t be around to face the consequences.
Instead, start living life on your own terms and forget about what everyone else says. Life’s too short to worry about others.
2. People Are Focused On Themselves, Not On You
While social media have enabled us to connect with one another, we often spend most of our time comparing ourselves with our peers. From the friend who’s always on holiday to the guy with the “fat stacks”, it seems like you’re right at the end. You feel like a failure because you can’t seem to afford that jet-set lifestyle.
Social media give us the impression that every facet of our lives is closely followed by everyone else. However, the opposite is true. Everyone’s too caught up in their own hustle to worry about where you went on vacation last year.
Focus on growing your own success and doing the things that actually matter to you. In the long term, you’ll find that your life is significantly more rewarding.
3. You’ll End Up Being Happier
It’s only when you stop caring what others think about you that you start living for yourself. Your decisions impact you the most, not others. By freeing yourself from the shackles of everyone else’s opinion, you’ll find that making the right decisions becomes a lot easier.
This is because you’re no longer constrained by the judgement of others. You no longer feel a conflict when making decisions.
Several years ago, I was in a toxic relationship for much longer than I should have been. I was hesitant to end it as I was concerned about my parents’ opinion of me. As a result, I ended up spiraling into a deep depression accompanied by anger. It was only when I finally went over the edge that I decided to say “F*ck it” and ended the relationship.
Immediately, I felt a sense of relief since a burden was lifted off my shoulders. While everyone around me was upset, I was free and happy which is what truly matters.
4. People Can Prevent You From Achieving Your Dreams
Oftentimes, people project their own internal issues onto you. This means that their judgments and opinions are likely colored by their own biases. With the exception of your loved ones, most people are only looking to discourage you from chasing your own dreams and passions.
You do not need to be a Nobel Prize scientist winner or a football athlete, with the pressure to be one of NFL future wager talents. What is most important is to be happy and to follow your instincts.
Life’s too short for you to be bogged down by what everyone else has to say. So, follow these simple rules to stop caring what people think and do what makes you happy!
Featured Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash.
