When I stopped caring what others thought of me, I stopped apologizing for being me. Instead of hiding my flaws, I started embracing them. Instead of judging myself, I began loving and accepting myself- all aspects, the good and the not-so-good. I started living up to my own standards and experiencing life on my terms.
When I stopped worrying needlessly about what people thought, I set myself free from the chains of fear and anxiety and was no longer a slave to others’ opinions and approval. I no longer felt the need to walk on eggshells and hide my natural humanness. I stopped feeling like I wasn’t good enough and comparing myself to others. I no longer allowed anyone else to dictate what I should say, do, think, or feel.
I began permitting myself to make mistakes because we all make them whether or not some of us admit it. Even better, I started learning from those mistakes and seeing them as life lessons, rather than defects or screw-ups. I finally accepted that I’m not and never will be perfect. Who is?
Silhouettes of hands are breaking the chain—freedom concept.
I learned that like, and dislike is subjective, never personal. I accepted that not everybody was going to like me and was not only okay with it but embraced it! Because if you don’t have people who don’t like you, you’re not doing something right- in one area or another, you’re not your true, authentic self.
I permitted myself to follow my heart, sing, dance, speak my piece, and yes! Even be a little weird. In all this, I took back control of my life and found freedom I’d never known.
The day I stopped caring what people think was the day I got my life back, and slowly but surely, my bullies began to disappear. I began to feel beautiful, smart, and, best of all, equal.
Positive things started coming my way magically and seemingly without effort. I began attracting the right people into my life- genuine people who were loving, caring, uplifting, and inspiring. Existing relationships drastically improved. An abundance of opportunities and blessings flowed into my life. I began seeing wins and successes that were very rewarding and fulfilling, which only encouraged me to stretch my imagination, take more risks, and try new things.
Today, I look back and ask myself why. Why did I even give a crap what my bullies and others- people who meant absolutely jack to me and could do nothing for me, thought of me?
They weren’t my family or friends.
They didn’t pay my bills.
They didn’t sign my paycheck every week.
They didn’t hold my life in their hands.
And they most certainly weren’t people I cared anything about.
I wasted a lot of time and energy, which I can never get back, worrying needlessly about what people thought of me. The truth of it is that most of those people nor their opinions were never even worth my consideration.
The only opinions that matter are those of my God, my family, my husband, and my closest and most trusted friends. And the only things that matter are my faith in God, my dreams, my morals, taking care of the people I love, my ability to be the best me I can be, and my desire to extend kindness and reach out and help those who need me. Anyone or anything outside of that is irrelevant.
It’s fantastic and you have just shared the same thoughts as mine. Superb post. Love and accept to be yourself. I too have experienced this.😊😊.Well done.
Thank you so much! You don’t know how much this means! 💖
Love it. Realized that some time back, and started living authentically. Quite liberating. Awesome post. 👌 💕
Thank you so much, Therese. 💖 It’s such sweet freedom, isn’t it! 😃 I’m so proud of you!
Thank you for this. It is life altering to go from identifying with what others think to living with personal freedom.
You’re most welcome! 😊 And you’re so right! 💯
Cherie!
Lovely post Cherie amazing for me.
I am of same opinion as you said.
And I have adopted this of late.
But I am happy. I didn’t know that bothering for others is of no use.
They have always made my time miserable whenever they were with me.
I now don’t care.
I started caring me.
Thank you so much for a wonderful post. Highly motivational 🙏😊❤️🙏
You’re most welcome, Arun! 😊 I’m so proud of you for taking your life back!
Yes I have started.
Getting power from you as an additional power systems 🙂🙏
It means a lot reading this! 💖🥰
👍😊🙏
So true, the best thing about getting older is I feel people do start to shed away the cares of other people’s thoughts and opinions. I, for one, no longer tolerate people in my space who I clash with. Rather than constantly trying to get along and appease them, it’s better for everyone if we go our separate ways.
Life is too short to worry how other people view us or if we might say the wrong thing. We should all do our best to be thoughtful with our words and deeds but sometimes even that’s not enough for people and it can be exhausting walking on eggshells around them.
So it’s better to just walk away 🙂
You’re 💯 percent correct on everything you stated here! 👏
😀
So magnificently put Cherie. Now this right here sums it up >>>
Today, I look back and ask myself why. Why did I even give a crap what my bullies and others- people who meant absolutely jack to me and could do nothing for me, thought of me?
Girlfriend, I couldn’t have put it any other way. Life is to precious to waste it on B.S.! 🤨 And that’s all I have to say about that!!! 😁😆😄
Thank you so much, sweetie! 💖 And absolutely it’s too precious to waste on BS- and too short!
I really resonate with everything you’ve written here, Cherie. Thanks for all you are doing to support people who are being bullied, and to give them life truths and life tools.
It’s my pleasure! 💖💖💖 It fulfills me to help targets become liberated from the evil clutches of bullies!
I am slowly getting there so thank you for the reinforcement! Your words go right to the heart of it.
You’re most welcome, Stella! 💖😊 And you’ll get there! Sending you lots of love!
This is great advice.
Thank you so much, Molly! 💖
This is wonderful. But it takes a lot of effort on our part to ignore what others say. But one day at a time.
Thank you so much! 😊 And I completely understand.
ya shoes
This really resonates. I think age also makes a difference when you come to know your own worth and value.
Absolutely right! Most of the time it does take getting older before we learn to appreciate, accept, and love ourselves for who we truly are. Thank you so much! 😍💖
So true. I needed to see this. Thank you
You’re most welcome, Sam. 💖💖💖
Pleasing everyone is mission impossible so you need to live to the best of your capabilities and the way you see fit because if not then you will always be miserable while others are having fun.
You couldn’t have said that more perfectly! Thank you so much! 💖😍💕
Extraordinary post! I need to take it to heart. Thank you so much!
You’re most welcome, Janet! And thank you so much for your kindness and encouragement! 😍💕
A great post, it took serving my country to realize I don’t need to care what people think of me.
Thank you so much, Michael! And Yesss! The military will definitely instill confidence in you. My dad was a soldier and I spent most of my childhood a military brat! I’m so proud of that!
So I am reading at the moment. ;0
😁😁😁
Absolutely affirming and powerful post! I can relate in so many and different ways.
Thank you so much, Michael! This means a lot! 😀
You are very welcome. This is Pragalbha 🙂
Well, Pragalbha! It’s wonderful to “formerly” meet you! 🤗
:)))
I am joyful, reading how you were set free to love yourself with God’s love! He has been teaching me this for years, taking it deeper and deeper. I am so grateful He is persistent in helping us internalize it more and more. Thanks for sharing!
You’re more than welcome, Jennifer! Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words! God has truly blessed me! 💕💕💕
Aw, amen! And you are so welcome 🤗🌹
💖💕😍🥰
BRAVO!!!!!
Thank you so much! This means a lot! 💖
Amazing post. Very inspiring 🙂
Thank you so much! 🙂