Do you live your own life, or do you care what others think?

"The version of me you created in your mind is not my responsibility."

I love this quote, and find myself frequently referring to it.

I live life with compassion and my values, but I am not responsible to create other people's perceptions of me. I give the best I can, and what you make of that is your own opinion.

I would say thinking about who you aspire to be from an external outlook is different. We are social creatures that care about how we present ourselves. With that being said, there is a difference between thinking about how you carry yourself vs. letting people's opinions dictate your life.

This goes back to accepting and honoring your individuality. Own your decisions. Own your mistakes because they help you in your journey. I think we lose sight of the fact that there is more than one way to do things. Especially during very pivotal moments, where everyone believes the route they decided to take is the best. It is - for them. And your route is right for you. Since we are all different, we all have different perspectives. Don't take judgements to heart, and don't criticize someone's decisions that have nothing to do with you, because we are all trying our best.

Do not seek validation in what others have to say about you. Of course, listen to constructive criticism, but do not assign it right away to who you are as a person. Why? Because the same way you take a compliment right to your mind, you create the same habit with negative remarks. Know who you are, hear people out, but remember that the person who decides whether or not a comment changes your sense of identity is you. 


Thank you for reading!

- much love, Suzan J