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What others think of us matters, or so we believe. Although impressions and reputation make people view us in a certain way, what matters most is how we think and feel about ourselves.
This is often projected in how we behave towards others or how much we tolerate the way others treat us. As my favourite actress Meryl Streep once said:
Although I do not agree with being mean or cruel, it is important to be authentic, even if it makes your circle smaller. Being authentic has been an important part of my journey and it brings with it peace of mind, as I have realised that the people who choose to be in my life gravitate towards my energy.
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The truth is that I live each day. Over the years, I have learnt a few techniques to play deaf towards what others say or think about me:
Ignore the murmurs: I have stopped paying attention to people who gossip about me. Instead, I have invested my time in building my career and nurturing the good relationships I have with my friends and family.
Be careful of the company you keep: There must be a wise elder in your family who told you this at some point in your life: you are the company you keep. If you are with people who make you feel bad about your achievements, it is time to figure out why you cling to them and then make the brave decision to walk away and not look back.
Own your feelings: What others say or think about you is on them. It is the way you react that shows your character. One of my favourite quotes from media personality Bonang Matheba is:
Expect haters and gossip because, unfortunately, that is how some people are.
Build your self-esteem: Self-esteem is defined as the way we value and perceive ourselves. This is the foundation of what we think we deserve in life and our careers. If you think little of yourself, start building your self-esteem by finding the root causes of why you have such a bad opinion of yourself. Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they may seem to be. Forgive yourself. You are only human.
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Get help: Sometimes getting professional help to deal with internal challenges and overcoming traumatic pasts is important to gain the happiness you deserve. Loving yourself is the best gift you can give yourself, as it will help you set boundaries, live the life you want and care less about what others have to say about you.
I hope my approach to life inspires you to make the rest of your year a great adventure.
