How do I stop caring so much about what others think of me?

Question

Deeper Global · Accepted Answer

Caring too much about what others think is like being a prisoner of other people's opinions, constantly adjusting your behavior, appearance, and choices based on what you imagine others want or expect. This exhausting way of living prevents you from being authentic and can lead to anxiety, people-pleasing, and a loss of your true self. The journey to caring less about others' opinions is really a journey toward caring more about your own. Start by building a stronger relationship with yourself. The more you know, accept, and value yourself, the less you'll need external validation. Spend time figuring out your own values, preferences, and goals. Practice self-compassion and treat yourself with the same kindness you'd offer a good friend. When you have a solid foundation of self-worth, others' opinions become less threatening and less important. Remember that most people are too busy thinking about their own lives to spend much time judging yours. The spotlight effect makes us think we're being watched and evaluated much more than we actually are. That embarrassing thing you did? Most people either didn't notice or have already forgotten about it. People are generally much more concerned with how they're being perceived than with judging you. Practice authenticity in small ways. Start expressing your true opinions, preferences, and personality in low-stakes situations. Wear something you like but weren't sure others would approve of. Share an opinion that's different from the group's. Say no to something you don't want to do. Each time you act authentically and the world doesn't end, you build confidence in being yourself. Finally, accept that some people won't like you, and that's okay. You can't please everyone, and trying to do so will only exhaust you and dilute your authentic self. The people who matter will appreciate you for who you really are, and those are the relationships worth investing in.