"I DON'T CARE WHAT PEOPLE THINK CLUB": Living Life from the Soul and Not from the Opinions of Others

Do you ever find yourself editing your words before they leave your mouth, just in case they're not "right"? Do you ever look at your pictures and scan them searching for flaws that you think someone might see if this picture was revealed? Or scroll through social media, wondering if your latest post will get enough likes, or worse, if it will be met with silence or criticism? If so, you're not alone. There are so many people out there that experience the "spotlight effect" I used to feel this way until I joined the " I Don't Care What People Think Club." Of course this is not a real club, but it is a mindset that can break you out of the prison of people pleasing and into the freedom of your true calling amd purpose. A freedon to love yourself from beyond the mirror and the opinions of others and instead from your soul. Keep reading and find out how you can join tjis awesome soul-liberating club.

So, why do we let the opinions of others hold such sway over us? Here are three common culprits:

1. The Innate Need for Belonging: From our earliest days, humans have been wired for connection. Our ancestors relied on their tribes for survival, and being ostracized could literally mean death. This deep-seated need for acceptance can manifest as a powerful desire to conform, even at the expense of our true selves.

   
   

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2. Fear of Rejection and Judgment: Nobody likes to feel rejected or judged. The thought of being misunderstood, ridiculed, or deemed "not good enough" can be paralyzing. We often equate others' disapproval with our own inherent worth, leading to a constant striving for external validation.

   
   

3. The Illusion of Control: Sometimes, caring what others think gives us a false sense of control. If we can anticipate their reactions and adjust our behavior accordingly, we believe we can avoid negative outcomes. In reality, we're giving away our power and surrendering our authenticity.

This constant catering to external approval is a silent killer of progress. It stifles creativity, squashes dreams, and keeps us playing small. When we're preoccupied with how we're perceived, we lose touch with our own desires, values, and intuition. We end up living a life that’s not truly ours, slowly eroding our self-acceptance and dimming the unique brilliance within. Imagine if every artist stopped painting because of a negative review, or every inventor abandoned their ideas due to skepticism. Our world would be a far less vibrant and innovative place.

And here's a gentle but firm truth: most people are far too busy thinking about themselves to be thinking about you. While that might sound harsh, a 2018 study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that people tend to overestimate how much others are paying attention to them, a phenomenon known as the "spotlight effect." This research suggests that the judgment we fear is often far less intense or even non-existent in the minds of others. We are, in essence, creating our own self-imposed prison.

As long as your actions are with pure intent ... do whatever makes you happy.

So, how do we break free and start living from the soul? It's a journey, not a destination, but here are five gentle yet powerful steps you can take:

• Cultivate Self-Awareness: Start by noticing when the "what will they think?" thought arises. What triggers it? What emotions does it bring up? Simply observing these patterns without judgment is the first step toward dismantling them.

• Define Your Own Values: What truly matters to you? Not what society says, or what your family expects, but what deeply resonates with your core being? When your actions align with your values, external opinions lose their power.

• Embrace Imperfection: Perfection is a myth, and striving for it is exhausting. Understand that making mistakes is part of growth. When you accept your own flaws, the fear of others pointing them out diminishes significantly.

• Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer a dear friend. When you're tempted to beat yourself up over perceived missteps, offer yourself grace instead.

• Take Small, Brave Steps: Start by doing one small thing that aligns with your truth, even if it feels a little uncomfortable. Share an honest opinion, wear something you love but might be "out there," or pursue a passion purely for your own joy. Each brave step builds confidence and weakens the chains of external validation.

  
  

Living life from the soul is about reclaiming your power, honoring your unique journey, and radiating your authentic light. It's a gentle revolution, one thought and one choice at a time. The world doesn't need more echoes; it needs your authentic voice, your unfiltered dreams, and your beautiful, untamed self. What will you do today to truly live?

Try one of our FREE beauty healing rituals to practice soul alignment.

Let's continue to heal together. Shalom~ Dr. Nickie Ann