What Will You Say to Your Younger Self?
By Raine38
@Raine38 (12387)
United States
November 14, 2020 12:36pm CST
When I was younger, I always worry about what other people would say or think about me. I let this mindset of making sure that everyone accepts me or is happy with me affect my studies, my relationships, and even how I see myself.
I remember that if someone, even if that person is not close to me, would say some not so nice things about how I style my hair, I will let it bother me and I will get anxious on what I need to do to make her accept me. Or when a teacher will tell me that the project I am proposing is not suitable for my gender. I let everyone's opposing opinion of me affect me so much that I cannot find happiness in things that usually bring me joy.
Now that I am older, I have learned that no matter what I do, I will not be able to please everyone. And in the grand scheme of things, my love and opinions about myself are the only ones that really matter. It also took me a long time to finally learn that differences can be celebrated and accepted; that I can be friends with those who have different beliefs than I do.
Now whenever someone tries to make me feel bad about how I look or what I strongly believe in, I pay them no mind. I can defend myself, but I have also learned how to pick my battles. After all, I wouldn't want to win the battle just to lose a war, now do I?
What would you tell your younger self? What do you know now that you wish you knew back then?
6 people like this
6 responses
@thelme55 (79311)
• Germany
14 Nov 20
I have always kept away from those people whom I thought didn´t like me. It didn´t affect me as a young person as I have said to myself that they didn´t give rice to me to eat so it didn´t bother me at all. As long as I have not done anything wrong to others, that was and is still fine to me.
2 people like this
@thelme55 (79311)
• Germany
14 Nov 20
@Raine38 Thank you. I was a shy girl and was bullied by a girl because of my asthma. I was a homebody and was contented with myself and just read a lot at home. I was already true to myself as a child.
I am glad you have learned your lessons and changed your life for the better.
1 person likes this
@prinzcy (32299)
• Malaysia
15 Nov 20
I used to think others' opinions are important. Turn out they're not. They're only trying to make us do things their way. It's not like what I was doing was wrong. When lots of people doing the same thing, it's the norm for them. Actually, it's not.
1 person likes this
