How to Stop Caring What People Think (For Real)
Jun 19, 2025Do you often find yourself worrying about what others think of you? Do you go out of your way to avoid disapproval or judgment, and feel a wave of anxiety when you think someone might not like you? You're not alone. The fear of being disliked is one of the most common struggles people face, but it doesn't have to control your life. In this post, I’m going to share three powerful tools that can help you overcome this fear once and for all. These tools are proven to work, not just because of the science behind them, but because I've used them myself and seen the transformation in countless clients.
1. Dislike and Judgment Are Temporary
Let’s face it: no matter how perfect or charming we are, there’s always someone who won’t like us. And while this might sound disheartening at first, it’s actually incredibly freeing. Once you accept that not everyone will approve of you, you can release the pressure of trying to make everyone like you.
Here’s the trick: when someone disapproves of you, it’s often temporary. Their annoyance or judgment is typically tied to their emotional state at the time. Have you ever had a bad day, snapped at someone, and then regretted it later? Most people are the same. When you realize that their judgment might not even be permanent, it takes away the urgency and fear that comes with it.
Stand-out Quote:
“Disapproval and dislike are temporary, and often based on someone else’s emotional state. Don’t let it ruin your day—or your life.”
2. Embrace Dislike as Medicine
This might sound counterintuitive, but bear with me: disapproval is actually good for you. It might sting at first, but it’s a powerful tool for growth. Just like a muscle needs resistance to grow stronger, your emotional resilience grows when you face rejection or criticism.
Avoiding disapproval only strengthens its power over you. You might spend years running from it, but once you choose to face it, you realize it doesn't have the power to destroy you. And in fact, by embracing it, you start to build emotional strength and confidence.
Stand-out Quote:
“The more you expose yourself to disapproval, the less it has the power to hurt you. It’s not about avoiding it, it’s about becoming resilient to it.”
3. Listen to What People Are Really Saying
When someone disapproves of you, it’s easy to spiral into the belief that they don’t like you at all, that they’ll never like you again, or that they want nothing to do with you. But this is often a distorted interpretation. Most of the time, people are frustrated with a specific behavior or situation, not with you as a person.
Take a moment to truly listen. What are they really saying? Maybe they're frustrated with a specific action you took, or they wanted something from you that you couldn’t provide. Understanding their perspective will help you navigate the situation with more clarity and less fear.
Stand-out Quote:
“Don’t make someone’s frustration with a behavior into a personal attack. What are they really saying?”
Embrace Your Authentic Self
The truth is, the fear of being disliked or judged can hold you back from living your fullest life. Whether it’s speaking up in meetings, sharing your true thoughts, or just being yourself, the anxiety of disapproval creates a cage that keeps you from living freely. But by practicing these tools—realizing that disapproval is temporary, embracing it as medicine, and listening to what people are really saying—you can break free from this fear.
If you're ready to reclaim your life, stop hiding, and show up as your authentic self, then it’s time to face this fear head-on. It's not easy, but the rewards are worth it. You can do this.
Action Step:
Today, think about a situation where you’ve been avoiding the fear of being disliked. How can you start embracing it? Maybe it’s a conversation you’ve been avoiding or a new situation that makes you anxious. Take that first step, and remember: you are enough just as you are.
Share with me in the comments what you’re going to do differently. Let’s all support each other as we step into our power and become the confident, authentic versions of ourselves we are meant to be.
Final Thought:
The more you face this fear, the less power it will have over you. Let’s start today, together. You’ve got this.
Reading blogs and watching videos online is a start...
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