Ep. 6 - Opinions

The strength of someone else's opinions only holds as much power as you give it. So, stop giving your power away.

Transcript

Only we can give strength to other people's opinions of us. Did you know that? Now, I thought it was just a non-changing, factory setting. A built-in device to be required to “give a fuck” about what other people think of us.

Ha! Guess what… It’s actually not. That person that thinks you are “too, much”? She doesn’t matter. That is, unless you let her words and opinions have power over you. 

Let’s think about this for a minute. Who has control over you? Wait, let me say it a different way… Who are you letting have control over you? The only person you should answer that question with, is “Me.”

I will say, the opinions of the people we love and care about do matter, but they only should matter to the extent that you let them help guide you… Not that their opinions control you and your choices. Most of the time these people give us opinions because they are trying to help protect us. Protect us from the “mistakes” maybe they made. The “mistakes” they don’t want to see you stumble through.

But just because something happened to them, does not mean it will happen the same way for you. The opinion they give you is just data to inform your choices… it is not a factual outcome.

Alright, now for the people who don’t love and care about you. Most likely, their opinion is just to keep you “in your place.” Their opinion is being used to wield power over you… But as I mentioned, that power does not exist if you do not let it have the strength to bind you.

Let the freedom of this sink into your chest. Let it fill your lungs and let you breathe again. A lot of us will have a lot of work ahead of us to truly embody this idea. As a recovering people pleaser I know how uncomfortable it is to feel like you are disappointing someone. But by always seeking to please others, the only real person you are disappointing, is yourself.

So say the thing. Feel the feeling. And don’t apologize. The only opinion about how you are living your life that should matter, is your own. Don’t let the fear of someone’s else’s opinion keep you from experiencing this life fully and completely. Don’t let them keep you small. Their opinion is only as powerful as you let it be.