How to Stop Worrying About What People Think of You
Have you ever worried about what people think of you? Have
you ever stopped yourself from doing something you really wanted to because you
didn’t want certain people to think of you in a different way? And have you
ever wished you didn’t?
If the answer to at least one of these questions is yes,
then you’re in the right place. You are ready to let go of worrying over what
people think or say about you. You no longer have to feel the need to censor
yourself or hide who you are.
Here’s the thing, people will think whatever they want about
you no matter what you do or do not do. You can’t control others’ thoughts,
perceptions, impressions or actions. So I invite you to take a moment and ask
yourself is it worth investing all that time and mental energy into worrying
about something that’s simply out of your control?
Constantly having other people at the back of your mind can
be exhausting and constraining, but the good news is that you can absolutely
set yourself free!
1. Reclaim your power
When you actively worry over what others might think, you
give away your power. You prioritise their thoughts and opinions over yours and
enable them to have a say even if you don’t really want to. People’s views on
you and your life would matter less to you when you show that they are not that
important to you. The more significance you give them, the more you’ll remain
stuck in the worrying cycle. Reclaim your power and no longer allow others’
opinions or actions to have an impact on you. You can start by cultivating
daily awareness and every time you catch yourself changing your behaviour
because of someone else, let go of the importance it possess and remind
yourself that YOUR perception of yourself is the only one that matters. It
takes practice and consistency, but it works.
2. Set healthy boundaries
Setting healthy boundaries allows you to be who you are
without inviting others to meddle with your life. Boundaries help you to assert
your power in a healthy way that’s aligned with your feelings without having
the need to justify, explain or defend yourself. You might want to write them
down and read them out loud to yourself so you feel more comfortable with
putting them into practice. For example, if you worry over what your family
might think if you tell them that you want to change your career path, it could
be something along the lines of “I understand how you feel and I accept your
concerns, but it’s my decision and I trust that it’s for my greatest good. I
would appreciate it if you are able to see that too, but either way I am not
going to change my mind.”
It doesn’t have to be a long speech, actually the simpler it
is - the better. Form your words in a way that really resonates with you and
helps you navigate the situation without feeling the need to hide or censor
yourself for the sake of others.
3. Grow your self-belief
Trusting yourself strengthens you inner power. The more you
believe in yourself and your actions, the less you second-guess and seek
validation from others. That self-belief allows you to exercise your boundaries
with more ease. It gives you the support you need to own your power and
recognise your authority over your life.
Here’s a quick self-belief tip for you: Before you start
overthinking what someone thinks of you, first ask yourself “How would I show
up if I fully believed in myself?” If you were absolutely certain in who you
are and what you do, would you still worry over what other people thought of
you? Would it still matter?
4. Build on your confidence
Yes, confidence has a play in this too! If you’re feeling
confident about your decisions and life choices, you wouldn’t worry as much
about others because you would be feeling so secure in who you are. So how can
you build your confidence more? Confidence shines from within, it starts with
deeply accepting and loving who yourself. You can try reflecting or journaling
about all the things that make you feel the most confident and tuning into that
feeling every time you slip into worrying what other people might think of you.
Think and speak of yourself positively and with compassion - affirmations are a
great option if you like using them! If they are not really your thing, create
your own and be aware when you focus on your imperfections more than on your
strengths. You can also create a self-care toolkit and fill it in with what
makes you feel good.
💗 If you found this
helpful, please share it with a friend whom it might resonate!
Love,
Annie
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