Why Do We Care

Why do we freaking care what other people think? Just last week, I asked myself this very question. It made me truly step back and wonder why I was giving so much power to those around me?  The sad truth is, that people really don’t care about you as much as you would like to believe. They are way too busy thinking about themselves and worrying what others are thinking of THEMSELVES to put forth any energy on YOU.  Which, in and of itself, I find truly sad and disheartening, but that is another thought for another day. Most people are centered solely on the “me” and unless you directly affect their life or if they have something to gain from a situation, they are very unlikely to think about you at all.

I feel as though we waste way too much time and energy on this subject. We constantly fill our minds with toxic thoughts and feelings which have absolutely no benefit. So why do we spend each day torturing ourselves? Have you ever stepped back and thought about how stupid and idiotic this actually is?!

We are all just a bunch of crazy people running around, filling our minds with negative thoughts about what others might think about us, when in fact they are doing the exact same thing, thus everyone is just thinking of themselves... and it is all just negative and wasted energy for NOTHING!

So why do we let this vicious cycle continue? Why is it so important for us to seek out the approval of others? Will it make us feel whole, complete, or successful? Will it enhance our lives in any positive way? I don’t have an answer, but it is a topic that I find interesting to sit back and ponder.

This burden of thoughts inhibits our lives. We start to make up stories, in our head, about what we perceive others might be thinking. More times than not these stories are false and couldn’t be further from the truth. They are just that…made up fairy tales. I have to admit here that I am very guilty of this on a daily basis. It is a battle that I must actively fight each and every day!

You know the saying, that you just can’t please everyone all the time, and this cliché is so true. If we will just live our lives, upholding our truths, beliefs and ethics, does it really matter what people think about you? If they don’t like you for who you are at the core of your being, then you honestly do not need them in your life. It is just that simple. It is so much more important and beneficial to surround ourselves with people who do not judge you, who accept you for who you are, what you represent and don’t spend time judging you. People that love you and admire you just the way you are... thus you do not need to worry what they think.

Now, I get that we can’t control everyone that is around us at all times in all environments. We are constantly thrown into new environments or situations and places where we must be and interact. In these situations, everyone is not going to like us and might judge us. This could be as simple as going to the grocery store or it can be as commonplace as going to work. But, at the end of the day do we care what these people think about us? Is it so important that we waste so much energy? No, of course not, so know who you are and you know that the Creator made you just the way you are and that is enough!

Bottom line is, that the fear and perceived weight of other’s thoughts inhibits us from living a happy, healthy, productive life. Our personality, our thoughts and our actions are completely perceived by what others secretly want to see and not always what is truth. So, as we are consumed with what opinions others are making about us, we completely forget our own... we just don’t have room in our head for both!

It is our responsibility and duty to strive to make a conscious effort to truly stop “caring” what the heck others think about us. This is such a freeing feeling, though it is a skill that must be practiced daily. But, once mastered your world will change entirely! Sort of like, taking a nice deep breath for the very first time. This will allow you more time and energy to love others, see the positive in others and not care whether or not they like ya' back, just love them anyways!