LIVE BY CHOICE NOT BY CHANCE!!!!

Have you ever stopped yourself from doing something just because you were worried about what others might think? If the answer is yes, welcome to the club! Most of us, at some point, have hesitated, changed our choices, or even given up on something just because we feared judgment.

From childhood, we hear things like:

• “What will the neighbors say?”
• “People will laugh at you.”
• “Society won’t accept this.”

And so, without realizing it, we start living our lives based on the opinions of others rather than our own happiness.

Why Do We Care So Much?

It’s natural to seek approval from people around us. We want to be liked, accepted, and respected. But sometimes, this need for approval turns into a cage. We stop doing things that make us happy because we fear criticism.

Think about it—do people really care as much as we think they do? Maybe for a moment, yes. But soon, they forget and move on. And yet, we let their temporary opinions control our long-term decisions.

The Cost of Living for Others’ Approval

When we constantly worry about what people will say, we:

• Lose confidence in ourselves.
• Miss out on opportunities.
• Live a life that isn’t truly ours.

Imagine wanting to start a new hobby but stopping because “What will people say?” Or dreaming of a different career but sticking to the usual path because “What will relatives think?” In the end, we regret the chances we didn’t take, not the opinions we ignored.

Breaking Free

So, how do we stop caring so much?

1. Realize that people forget quickly. They may talk today, but tomorrow they’ll move on.
2. Do what makes you happy. Your life is yours to live, not theirs.
3. Accept that you can’t please everyone. No matter what you do, someone will always have something to say.
4. Ask yourself: Will this matter in five years? If not, why let it control you today?

At the end of the day, people will talk no matter what you do. So, why not do what you love anyway?

@nandasagec Manisha nandan