What if I told you that it is possible to stop worrying about what other people think of you?
As humans, we are constantly looking for the approval of others. We fear rejection, so we always pay attention to other people’s opinions of us. Our need for validation is caused by several factors, including low self-esteem.
But is it healthy to make life choices based on what other people think about us?
Most of the time, allowing other people’s opinions to control us is a toxic habit.
Therefore, if you are a people-pleaser and you find it difficult to make choices unless you have other people’s approval, then it is time for a change.
Here are some tips on how to take control of your life and stop worrying about other people’s opinions:
Boost Your Self-Confidence
The most common reason we need other people’s validation is that we have low self-esteem. Because of our insecurities, we no longer trust our own judgment, so we constantly seek external advice.
Therefore, the first step towards taking control of your life is improving the relationship you have with yourself. In other words, you need to start working on building self-confidence. Once you start feeling confident about your capabilities, it will be much harder for other people to change your mind.
However, boosting your confidence is easier said than done. Luckily, it’s not impossible. Let’s take a look at some strategies you can use to improve your self-esteem:
- List your accomplishments: Make a list of all the things you are proud of. This will help you acknowledge your skills and will remind you of all the goals you have successfully accomplished.
- Let go of toxic relationships: Stop spending time with people who don’t appreciate you or try to bring you down. Instead, build relationships based on mutual support and respect.
- Work on improving your skills: Dedicate time to improving your skills. Becoming very good at something will make you feel more confident and this will be reflected in all areas of your life.
For more tips on how to improve your self-esteem, check out this article.
Take Responsibility for Your Actions
Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
One of the biggest problems of today’s society is that we are constantly comparing ourselves with others. Furthermore, we spend a lot of time on social media, where we see a distorted version of reality. Therefore, we often end up comparing our lives to an illusion. Research shows that the more time we spend on social media platforms, the more we end up comparing ourselves with others. This leads to lower self-esteem and higher levels of social anxiety.
So, how can you stop this toxic trait?
First of all, you should spend less time on social media. You might even consider taking a break from these platforms. Not only will this improve your mental health, but you will also have more time for yourself.
Secondly, you need to understand that what other people choose to show to the world is often different from what is truly going on in their lives. Just because others seem carefree doesn’t mean they are not sometimes going through difficult times.
Last but not least, you should never aim to be better than someone else. Instead, work on becoming better than you were in the past. Once you stop competing with others, you will also stop worrying about their opinions.
Mind Your Own Business
Whenever you are tempted to let go of a great opportunity because you are afraid of being judged, keep in mind that it is your life that you are sabotaging. You’re the one who will be the most affected by the choices you make, so why would you allow other people to choose your future?
Therefore, stop seeking approval from others. Many people will try to bring you down, so don’t pay attention to their negative feedback.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that you should never ask for advice or listen to your friends’ feedback. Sometimes you need external advice. However, you should only listen to people who genuinely care for you and who want to help you do what’s best for you.
Think about the Consequences of Your Actions
Have you ever wanted to do something, but you didn’t do it because you were afraid that others would judge you?
Most of us have gone through a similar situation several times in our lives. If this also happened to you, then you probably ended up regretting not taking action. Therefore, next time you are in a similar situation, think about the long-term consequences. Not doing what you want might seem like a safe option at that moment, but you will end up with regrets.
Keep in mind that paying too much attention to other people’s opinions will determine you to miss a lot of great opportunities. So, instead of seeking validation, take the risk and do whatever you want to do. Once you step out of your comfort zone and see the benefits of following your instincts, it will be much easier to detach yourself from others’ opinions.
Final Thoughts
While it’s normal to care for others and to try to please them, you should never let their opinions define you. At the end of the day, you know better than anyone else what is best for your life, so you should stop worrying about what others think. Trust your instincts and follow your dreams.
How do you get over the need for approval? Let me know in the comments below.
