It’s none of my business what you think of me.

Seriously, it’s not. Why should I care if you think I’m a rock star or a complete loser? Why does your opinion matter?

But man it used to. I used to be nearly consumed with concern about what others thought of me and took it all so personally - the good and the bad. To me, how I was defined by others is what I was. And I wasn’t alone.

So many of us are concerned - more so than we’d like to admit - with what others think of us. Even if you’re a stranger, if you say something negative or rude, it can sting. If you say something beautifully complimentary, it can be euphoric. And it hits MUCH more impactfully - positively and negatively - when you’re close to that other person who seems to share their opinion so freely.

The danger zone is when we get so wrapped up in what others think of us that it doesn’t even cross our mind to consider what WE think of ourselves. And who knows you better than you? Who has the capacity to love and care for you more than you?

When I took the time to fill my own cup with compliments, affirmations and trust, that’s when the power of other’s opinions began to fade. Absolutely, I still get affected by the occasional comment, but it’s when I’m already feeling low about myself in some way.

No one’s words can hurt you if you don’t let them. So take time and create space to build your confidence, sense of self worth and fall in love with yourself. Then you can truly state with confidence “It’s none of my business what you think of me.”