If I asked you if you judged yourself, what would you say? I’ve heard lots of people say, “Of course, I’m my worst critic.” This is probably pretty true. We seem to admit that we judge ourselves pretty harshly pretty casually. Then we think about everybody else and how they think of us. For some, that’s rolls in a large black cloud. Others claim that they don’t care what anyone else thinks. Some may not. Most of us might say that, but our actions beg to differ. We are so afraid of what we think of ourselves and what others will think of us that we stop ourselves from doing so many things.
For instance, we start small. Your outfit. Men and women. We like something but we’re afraid of what someone else will think if we wear this. To shiny, sparkly, bold, short, low, tight, loose, even the way it sits on you. It is one thing if you just don’t like it or you don’t feel good in it. But do you second guess what you wear based on what someone will think? Men, do you not wear a certain color because another person at the office will look twice or laugh? Ladies, do you not wear something because your office is usually casual? I understand this could go a lot of ways with the workplace and standards. In a general sense, are you afraid to wear the things that make you feel good and that you enjoy?
If you’re like me, maybe you’re a very open person. I have to be careful not to be too open and make someone uncomfortable. I like to share my struggles in hopes that it will help someone know they are not alone. At first, I was scared of what someone would think if I put up anything with any vulnerability. Would they think I wasn’t ok? Maybe they are just more private and don’t agree with how much I put online. Life is hard, I enjoy connecting with people to let them know they are not alone in struggles. I love to help them through it if I can. I’ve had to work hard at being ok with who sees my posts. The more I stretched out of my comfort zone and did it, the more comfortable I become with it.
Are you afraid to enjoy something because you think it’s weird? Maybe you want to try something but you feel like you’ll be judged if you like it or enjoy it? Is there something that is looked down upon by people you respect so you’re afraid to do it?
The cool think about doing things you enjoy even if people think you’re weird or will judge you? There are other people who enjoy doing those things too that won’t judge you. Connect with them.
So many people are so terrified to do new things and try new things or be a certain person. We fear judgement in general. Most of that judgement comes from ourselves. The things we make up in our heads that others will think of us. Things they don’t think. We stop ourselves from doing so many things because we fear what others will think when in all reality, we’re just afraid of what we think of ourselves.
Reality? People will judge you for things no matter what. What you wear, what you eat, what you drink, what you enjoy. People will judge you for the things you don’t do too. How you choose to spend your time or who whom you choose to spend your time.
The fun part, we’re all different. Yes its cliche. Its that way for a reason, its true. We are not meant to be alike, we’re meant to be our own person. Life would be reallllly boring if we were all the same.