If there is one achilles heel that has plagued me throughout my life it would be worrying about what others thought of me. This bad habit can be a burden. It holds you back and causes you to second-guess yourself.
This quarantine, while awful, has provided me one thing–a certain amount of freedom in not caring what others think. For once, we are all in the same boat and even the superficial things, like what we look like, seem to be a nonissue. We are all just trying to get by, which has put us on a level playing field (to a certain degree; during this time of racial injustice that is definitely not always the case).
My priorities have definitely shifted because of this experience, and the need to please everyone has become less important. I let go of the need to care, to worry, to feel as if I needed to keep up with the Joneses.
Believe me, there is so much freedom in not worrying about what others think. Now is the time (well, it’s always been the time; I just needed to be stronger in this area) to JUST BE US. I encourage you — JUST BE YOU, flaws and all, and do your thing. Do not let others hold you back because you are afraid of what they will do or say.
Because here is the thing, you can not please everyone. There will always be haters, but if you treat everyone with respect, kindness, and consideration then the problem lies with them, not you. Spend this week taking risks and living with integrity; do not worry about others’ opinions of you. If you are being true to you then that is all that matters!
[Every Monday, a new ‘habit’ will be posted as part of my Bright Light Living Healthy Habits series. These ‘Healthy Habits’ encompass habits for the mind, body, spirit, and one’s perspective of life—in order to LIVE BRIGHT. You may wish to implement the habits each week (if so, I encourage you to download the Healthy Habits Assessment form). Or, the week’s habit can simply serve as a journal prompt or something to ponder. It’s up to you. I do hope you will check in each week.]