𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬.
↑ This was one of the unusual philosophies my mom shared, that really stuck. I was in high school when she told me the story of how she overheard 2 coworkers talking about her in the bathroom (unaware she was in one of the stalls). Her attitude was, “I’m not for everybody. I certainly don’t like everyone 𝙄 meet, why would I expect everyone to like me?”
To my Teenage Brain, this was radical thinking. 
If we’re honest, it’s still radical thinking to my Adult Brain.
If we’re honest, it’s still radical thinking to my Adult Brain.Start listening when other people talk. You will be shocked at how often someone casually says, “I don’t want people to think _______”. Or, some variation of “I have to (or can’t) wear/donate/clean/invite/do/attend/buy _____, don’t want people to think we’re poor/rude/unkind/selfish/cheap/lazy/bad people”
I’m totally guilty of it too, if I don’t catch myself.
The follow-up thought we SHOULD be adding in after those sneaky thoughts is, “So what?”
My mom also said “You wouldn’t worry about what other people think of you if you only realized how seldom they do.”
Wow. Mic drop. Check ‘yer Pride. People are seriously NOT thinking about you as much as you’d think they are. Why? Just like the rest of us, they’re thinking about THEMSELVES.
I’ve observed many of these “People think” concerns lately.
One friend saw a post with a group photo, & assumed we didn’t want her to join us. (Not true)
A friend I was helping move commented, “I’m sure you think I’m a Hoarder.” (Not true. What I 𝙬𝙖𝙨 thinking was “I can’t imagine trying to pack up all 𝙤𝙪𝙧 crap to move.” — see? Thinking about MYSELF)
When I first started my Oil business, I had to confront my own concerns about what others might think. It took a few years for me to not only be comfortable, but lean into what I do for a living, even if it doesn’t make sense to others. I know what I do matters, & changes lives as much as Teaching did. And lately I’m finally seeing God’s hand in it all.
A new friend who has some physical limitations that aren’t always visible to others shared, “in the colder months, people can’t see my braces, so they might wonder why I parked in the Handicapped spot.” (Not their business)
Another hardworking friend often hears rumors of how people assume she has her job solely because she’s related to the boss. (Not true)
When I was pregnant with David someone commented to a distant family member, “I can’t believe SHE’S pregnant again.”
↑ THAT ONE could have been deeply hurtful, but it honestly wasn’t. I didn’t even know the lady who said that, so what do I care what she thinks? Spending ANY time worrying about what people thought about me being pregnant after the loss of Jacob wasted the joy & miracle of David. Not today, Satan. Bless & release.
I would marvel that my Mom was totally okay quickly brushing her hair, shaking her head, and heading out the door, without makeup.
I know many friends lie awake, replaying their conversations or actions, and second guessing what they said or did, and what people thought about it. I guarantee you, in over 90% of those cases, those other people spent less than 10 seconds thinking about that same scenario, if at all. The other 10% have their own issues that have nothing to do with you.
Other people’s opinions about us don’t have to shape our reality.
What happens when you stop perseverating on what others think of you? FREEDOM. More Joy. Less criticism. More Living Life to the Fullest. Let your Freak Flag Fly!
“I am who God says I am.” Ephesians 2:10.
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