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Freedom Gained When I Stopped Worrying About What Others Think
In the generation we live in, it can be so easy to constantly worry about what everyone else is thinking about us. We live in a world where thoughts of our outer appearance top the list of things that matter the most. The clothes we wear can dictate how we feel about ourselves. Following the latest trend, because that is what's "in" at the moment. Not always because we genuinely like them. We worry when posting a story on Instagram because we don't "look picture perfect" or don't think that we are acceptable in public without makeup. (Hey, I've been there.. and am trying to change.)
This isn't a blog post full of rants (though it may seem like that in the beginning.) I want to point out the things I have struggled with, because I am sure others have struggled with them too. Worrying about what others think was something I struggled with for a long time.
I have always been someone who was known as a "people pleaser." In the past I have had a hard time saying "no" to things. In doing so, it pointed me towards a long downhill slope of what we call burn-out. I was so busy all the time that I rarely had time to myself, or time to just rest. This was all caused by my worries of what people might think of me if I said no.
You give up trying to be your true authentic self. Each person has quirks, flaws, and insufficiencies. These are the things that make us human, they make us different than any other individual out there.
I found true freedom when I started caring less about what people thought, and instead set sail on a mission to be my true authentic self with every person I meet.
After all.. everything is temporary. Moments, feelings, people, flowers.
It's about giving everything you have, even when it feels like there is nothing left to give.
It's about creating something you love, even if it means other people won't like it.
It's about being kind to the less-fortunate, even if people look down on you for doing so.
It's about wearing that crazy sweater you have, because you love it and who cares if anyone else does. It's about feeling free in your own skin. Breathing in that fresh air and being content with who you are and who you want to become. It's about taking risks, adventures, and making changes. Stop worrying about what others think of you. Go into public without makeup, if you're kind they won't even notice that you aren't wearing any. What they will notice is how you treated them. They will notice how you complimented a perfect stranger, how you genuinely looked in their eyes and asked how their day was going (not just because it's "polite") to do so.
When you stop worrying about what others think of you, you get to dance (even if it's not your strong point.) You get to sing (even if you sing off key.) You get to laugh loudly, paint, write, create. You get to be yourself. And being yourself is the best thing you can be.
