Do you obsess over other people’s opinions? Are you up late at night pondering on the sleazy comment your mother-in-law or another mom made to you while at the park? Afraid to quit your day job and start that online business you’ve always wanted or become a stay-at-home mom? When we stop caring what people think, we can be our authentic selves. We can finally begin to live our lives on our terms and design a life that we love!
When we stop caring what people think, we find happiness within ourselves. We build our legacy! A legacy that our grandchildren and their children will take on.
For a long time, I cared about what people taught of me. And, I’m not going to pretend I don’t have those days anymore. I still do! However, I have learned to let go of thoughts and words that do not serve me. And focus my energy on what’s best for my highest good.
We got one life to life. Once chance. So why not live it to our fullest.
Stop caring what people think of you today! And start doing and being more of you! It’s refreshing and so good for our mental health.
Here are the actions I took to stop caring what people think.
How To Stop Caring What People Think
Admit that you care what others think of you
The first step to stop caring what others think is to admit that what others think of you bothers you. Suppose you don’t feel like going public with it. Discuss why with yourself.
Why do you care so much about what others think of you? Is it something you’ve always cared about?
Recognizing that you care what others think of you will allow you to improve on this problem and find solutions to stop watching what others think.
Focus your energy elsewhere
Here’s the thing. We become so consumed with what others think of us that we lose sleep over it. We refuse to go to the family gathering or commit to doing what we love.
Think of how much time, effort, and energy you waste when you allow yourself to go down the “rabbit hole” of caring what others think of you.
Free yourself from all the toxicity by investing your energy into something worth it. Like YOU. Your kids, your family. Your dream project or your childhood hobby.
Listen, you got one life to live. And it’s up to you to decide how you will live it.
Are you going to live the rest of your life worrying about what others think of you? Are you going to play small to please others? Or, will you live a life feeling free, fulfilled, and liberated?
Spend some time journaling on these questions. Ask yourself why at the end of every answer so you can connect to your subconscious to get to the root causes.
Related post:
Stop overthinking what others may think of you
“What other people think of you is not your business. If you start to make that business your business, you will be offended for the rest of your life.” Deepak Chopra
Sometimes we spend so much time thinking about what others think of us that it’s not even true. Our thoughts and ego fabricate things that may not even be true.
So you’re waiting to pick your kid up from soccer practice. Another mom came by, said hi, and when about her merrily way. Your ego may make you believe that you’re not good enough to be her friend. She doesn’t want to talk to you because you don’t fit into her circle.
This assumption may very well be far from the truth. Maybe that mom is busy running errands and has so much going on that she barely has time to stop and chat for more than 10 seconds. But here you are judging her and judging yourself.
Eliminating judgments and negative thoughts (that are not even true) from your life will allow you to live your life full of peace and joy. You won’t be bothered by what others think of you.
Reframe your thoughts into positive ones
Whenever you find yourself caring about what others think of you, choose to think of something more empowering.
So, your spouse or partner is judging you for wanting to write a book. You feel unsupportive or not good enough, and your anxieties start increasing. It’s pretty normal to feel this way. I have felt this way myself.
What usually happens is we give into these fear and never pursue our dreams because we get so caught up in worrying over what others think of us.
Whenever you encounter these situations, I want you to imagine the bigger picture. The rewards you will earn from going ahead and doing what you want to do.
Stop caring what people think and go after what you want in life because there is no such thing as failure—just life lessons for us to learn.
Transforming your mindset to positivity and allowing yourself to visualize the future will improve your confidence and willpower to go after your desired life.
Now, take a few minutes and reflect on these two questions:-
What have you always wanted to do but didn’t because you felt unsupportive?
How often do you wonder about what could have been if only you had done it?
I do not have to prove myself to anyone
Who are you trying to please? And most importantly, why do you need or want to please these people?
Journal on these and everything you arrive at your answer, ask yourself why. Asking yourself why will take you to the root reason you care what others think of you.
Yes, as mothers, we sure care what our children think of us. Because we want to be the best role models we possible can be to our kids.
But here is the thing. The people who genuinely love and care about us will not demand we prove ourselves to them.
And here is another thing to contemplate for those constantly judging and critiquing you. No matter what you do, you won’t please others. So stop trying to please them and start pleasing yourself.
Related post on self-discovery:
Don’t let other people’s opinions define who you are
Everyone got an opinion today. And whether you ask for it or not. Their views will be shared with you. How you handle these opinions makes a big difference in your life.
So, your mother-in-law came by and said something that bothered you. You can allow what she said to haunt you for the next month and stir problems in your relationship, or you can remind yourself that she babbles a lot, and you are not going to dwell on her words because it’s otter nonsense.
Make that choice to choose what’s suitable for your well-being. Sometimes, it’s not always this easy, but you will master this habit with practice, time, and commitment.
Related post:
Focus on positive comments and feedback
We often tend to focus on the negative thing someone said rather than on the sweet, sentimental comment given to us.
When someone says a nice thing to you, write it done. From your toddler to the woman on the sidewalk. The grocery clerk to your child’s teacher. Let these kind words stay with you. And bounce off comments which make you feel inferior.
Let your life shine
The only way to shine and be true to yourself is to choose freedom. Choose to be yourself while building your dreams and legacy with passion. You don’t need to belittle yourself to make others feel good about themselves. You don’t need to hide your truth from others to fit into the small box that society wants us all to fit in.
Stop caring what others think and be you! Live life to the fullest. Go after your dreams. Start that home-based business you’ve always wanted to do. Write the book, take the photography or art class.
Related post:
Cord Cutting
This is one of my favorite spiritual practice to let go of toxicity. I was first introduced to cord-cutting by the amazing Gabrielle Bernstein.
To learn more about cord-cutting and how it can miraculously help you to release negativity from your life, please visit Gabby’s blog/vlog, where she explains it thoroughly.
What happens when we stop caring what people think
Honestly. So much!
When you stop caring what people think, you will transform your life significantly in every area. From reducing stress and anxiety to improving your relationships with friends and family. And even money! Think about it. How many times have you purchased something to impress someone? Ah! Way too many times, right?!
When we stop caring what people think, we can walk our path, building a life and leaving a legacy for our grandchildren and children. We can feel free, fulfilled, and liberated.
So, my question today for you is – will you go after the life you want, or will you continue to live in someone’s shadow?
Let us know in the comments below.
Cheers to building a life you don’t need a vacation from.
Truth. I am reading “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” and it talks about a lot of these points.
Having read that book yet. But heard it’s quite good!Thank you for sharing.
My whole life, I have struggled with caring too much about what others think about me. I still do sometimes. I really love the quote, “What other people think of me is none of MY business.” This is so true and sometimes I forget. I agree that focusing our thoughts and energy elsewhere will help. Also, if we lift ourselves up, and lift up others with us, there is no choice but for all of us to be lifted up. I think that’s how we all want to be!
Love that you mentioned lifting others up as we lift ourselves up.
You nailed it on the head with that first one. You can’t just stop. You’re gonna care. It’s human nature. But figure out why you care. Face your WHY. Work on it. And move on 🙂 You can’t please everyone. Please yourself!
Absolutely Heather! We are just humans and it’s all about doing the work and understanding ourselves.
I have definitely learned how to do this. Life is too short to live according to those that judge you.
I’m so happy you’ve mastered this, Marysa! I bet it gives you so much liberation.
Totally agree with everything. I try not to care too much about what others think, and most often succeed, but sometimes things get to me. One thing I have realized is that the busier I am, the lesser time I have to dwell on other people’s comments and thoughts about me!
Vidya, it’s just natural that some of these things get to us. The key is catching yourself and reminding her that it doesn’t matter what others think of you. Don’t take anything personally.
These past few years has been a deal breaker for me. I have reached a point of my life where I say ‘its me against the world’. Caring what people say or think about me has made me achieve so much more than I have ever had in my young years.
The freedom it gives us is simply amazing!
I used to care so much about what others thought about me. Now, I realize, I am free to live my life, and people are entitled to their opinions.
Absolutely Marjie!100%