Article 6: Caring too much about what people think

“You wouldn’t worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.” Eleanor Roosevelt

We all want to be seen, accepted, understood. It’s part of being human. But somewhere along the way, that desire to belong can start shaping our every move. We begin curating our words, our choices, our lives not from a place of truth, but from fear of judgment.
We measure ourselves against imagined expectations. We shrink what feels authentic. We edit our personalities like drafts, hoping for approval. And all the while, we lose pieces of ourselves quietly, sometimes without even noticing.
People will always have opinions about everything. But those opinions don’t live in your body. They don’t sit with you in silence. They don’t carry your responsibilities or know your heart. You do.
Most people are far too focused on their own worries to be judging us the way we imagine. And those who do judge harshly? Often, it’s a reflection of their own fears, not your worth.
There is deep freedom in letting go. In choosing to trust your own rhythm, even when it’s misunderstood. It’s not always easy but it means reclaiming your peace. And that’s worth everything.
So, if you’re carrying the weight of other people’s opinions, I invite you to put it down. You don’t have to prove anything. You don’t have to earn your place. You are allowed to be who you are, fully and freely.

By H.