This week, I need you to know...
Other people's opinions don't have to belong to you, too.
Dear Living Journal,
'You've upset me'.
'I'm so disappointed in you'.
'I'm embarrassed to be seen with you looking like that'.
'Who do you think you are'?
'You don't measure up'.
'Maybe I should do it instead'.
And a million other little criticisms and insults that once would have floored me... but now bounce off, or simply slide away like water off a duck's back.
Why so zen?
Because along the way, on this journey to feeling inherently enough, I've learned one simple thing that has shifted my whole world.
These thoughts aren't facts, they're opinions.
They're often coming from a place of fear, resentment or insecurity on the part of the person or people in question.
And they don't have to belong to me too.
Words can be carelessly thrown around - sometimes even used intentionally as weapons - and they can wound us, deeply.
IF we choose to accept them.
Or, maybe not choose to accept them so much as... already believe we're unworthy, at least in part.
But when we learn to fundamentally believe we're good, trust in our own intentions, allow ourselves to make mistakes, let ourselves fall flat on our faces...
...and know that it's ok to be human and we'll just pick ourselves up again and do differently next time...
... then those words have no power at all.
We can simply thank ourselves for loving and trusting ourselves enough not to believe in that sh!t - and go merrily on our way, without a shred of doubt or a dent to our confidence.
That doesn't mean never being humble or accepting criticism.
It doesn't mean believing you're some kind of magical, star-spangled infallible unicorn.
It's simply having the self-worth to learn and grow from our mistakes - without getting lost in them or getting sucked into everyone else's drama - and backing our best selves all the way.
It's THEIR opinion.
But YOU get to choose what you do with it.
🖋️✨ Which opinions might you choose NOT to take on board, knowing you have that choice?
