“Care about people’s approval and you will be their prisoner.”
-Lao Tzu
Upon forging your path in life and breaking away from the status quo, people will take notice, but it may not necessarily be in a friendly way.
The truth is that criticism is something that all humans experience.
How many times have you told a child or a loved one that other people’s opinions are meaningless? That is a fact of life.
When did you last decide to improve your life for the better?
When you start a new business, take care of your body, or achieve next-level profits in your industry, people start to pay attention. However, you might even draw more unfavorable attention.
Whatever we as humans do, some individuals will choose to dislike us.
Nothing is wrong with that, really! There will always be people who don’t like peaches, no matter how juicy you are.
The problem is that because we are fundamentally tribal creatures, coping with disapproval from others is one of the most unpleasant experiences we can have.
But here’s what I’ve recently discovered: When you let go of clinging to the notion that you’ll be liked by everyone and of requiring their approval?
Your shoulders will suddenly feel like they are carrying a million pounds less. The proper people will be drawn to you if you are free to express your most genuine self.
Right now, I can tell you that not everyone likes me.
And that’s fine with me. My life is being lived according to my terms, not theirs. I set the guidelines for my life.
When someone criticizes me, I pause to consider the source and whether the criticism is valid. And what if it isn’t? I move on.
The problem is that when people criticize you so brutally, it usually indicates that they are dissatisfied. They probably find it difficult to like who they are.
So permit them to continue on their course and voice their ideas.
Live a good life regardless of what anyone else thinks, and don’t be afraid of people disliking you.
As my dad said, “Other people’s opinions are none of your business.”
Sarah, xo
