I Don't Care What People Think... (But Do You, Though?)

We all know somebody who doesn’t give a crap what people think.

One that may come to mind is the loud-ass-shout-it-from-the-rooftops ‘IDGAF’ girl. The one who does what she wants, regardless of who she may hurt. The girl who does things, almost seemingly simply to prove a point that she doesn’t give a damn. Zero F’s. The girl who wants the whole world to know that she doesn’t care. She makes it known wherever she goes. Or screams it on her social media. Or wherever, really.

Did someone like that come to mind?

Well, spoiler alert: This girl actually cares. So much.

She isn’t secure at all in her ability to do what she wants without judgement. She is actually so worried about what other people think, that she has a point to make. ‘I’m not weak. I do what I WANT. So there.’

Boom. She’s putting on a show.

For who?

For OTHER PEOPLE.

That’s not authentic.

And it’s not the type of person I aspire to be, when I say I want to work on not caring what other people think. (Although I’d be lying if I said I’d never been that girl before- it’s been quite a journey to get here!)

The badass type of person I am referring to is the one who is living her life unapologetically, but positively. She is moving forward. She doesn’t have to say what she’s doing, or justify it. She doesn’t overthink her decisions. She doesn't have to talk about it.

The only thing she considers is whether or not her actions would directly hurt another person.

If not, and it moves her forward, she does it.

Hurting someone doesn’t mean that your bestie doesn’t approve of your new gig. Or your parents don’t like the thought of you moving to another country. Or people will think you’re vain if you wear makeup or workout a lot.

Hurting someone means you stole someone’s money. Or spread nasty rumors about them. Or ruined their life.

Stuff like that.

The truly authentic person who doesn’t care won’t worry about what Sally down the street will say, or if the crowd next to them laughs at them. They do what they want. End of story.

I’m personally always striving to be like these high-vibe people. They just do their thing. And seem to be happy doing just that. No overthinking. No talking themselves out of anything. Livin’. It. Up.

Being from a small town, where everyone knows everyone’s business, has an opinion on what’s right and wrong, and likes to chat about it... it can be an extremely hard thing to do.

But.

It can be done.

The main thing I’ve found helpful, in navigating this ‘idgaf’ mentality?

Come from the right place.

If there’s something you’re super passionate about, and want to do?

Just do it.

Even if others don’t approve.

Even if it’s not ‘traditional’.

Even if you’ll be the talk of the town.

Chances are, they’re only talking because they wish they could be as brave.

Or, more likely, they aren’t saying much at all. (And if they are, the next person is a short conversation away.)

Seriously. If you’re mulling something over in your mind, and debating whether or not you should do it- think of the worst case scenario.

If the worst case scenario that comes to mind is that people will laugh or talk shit about you?

Go do it.

If you want to open that business, and it’s a little ‘out there’?

If you want to move to that foreign country?

If you want to have 12 kids?

Have no kids?

Do that.

Don’t let the opinions of others be the only reason you don’t. You will likely regret your inaction.

You’ll become a bitter and negative person. And trust me when I say, we have enough of that in this world. We need more movers and shakers.

So move forward, my friends. Come from a pretty place, and go all-in. You don’t have a lot of time here, so make the best of it-regardless of the opinions of others. That would be living a life that’s Luxuriously Dope.