As I sit here, reflecting on my journey, I find myself grappling with a truth I rarely speak aloud: I care what people think about me. Maybe more than I should. It’s not that I base my every decision on external validation, but there’s this lingering weight, a shadow of self-doubt, that whispers, “What will they say? What will they think?”
I’ve carried this weight for years—through successes, failures, reinventions, and everything in between. Sometimes it’s quiet, almost imperceptible. Other times, it feels suffocating, like I’m running a marathon with the eyes of the world on me, waiting for me to stumble. The fear of being judged for who I am, how I live, and the choices I make has shaped more of my life than I care to admit.
This journey I’ve undertaken—leaving behind a stable life, selling nearly everything I own, chasing a dream that’s still taking shape—has brought this fear of judgment into sharp focus. I’m vulnerable in a way I’ve never been before. Vulnerable because my life is now on display, my story laid bare, and not everyone will understand it. Vulnerable because some people will criticize, question, or dismiss my choices, and I can’t control that.
For years, I worked hard to present a polished image to the world. I wanted to be seen as strong, capable, and unshakable. But here’s the thing: I’m not unshakable. None of us are. And in trying so hard to hide my cracks, I denied myself the freedom to just be. To be messy, to be imperfect, to be human.
The truth is, external judgment is inevitable. No matter what we do, someone will always have an opinion. And as much as I wish I could say it doesn’t matter, that I don’t care, I’d be lying. It does matter to me. It matters because I want to be seen, understood, and valued. But I’m learning that being seen doesn’t always mean being praised or accepted. Sometimes being seen means being vulnerable, knowing that judgment will come, and showing up anyway.
So here I am, showing up. Vulnerable, flawed, and maybe a little scared. But also hopeful. Hopeful that by letting go of the need for universal approval, I can embrace the freedom of living for myself. Hopeful that my cracks, my imperfections, and my truths will resonate with someone else who feels the same weight I do.
If you’re reading this and you’ve felt the sting of judgment, I see you. I know how hard it is to quiet those voices, both external and internal. But I’m learning, slowly, that the only opinion of me that truly matters is my own. And while it’s a work in progress, I’m starting to like the woman I see when I stop looking through the lens of others and simply look at myself.
May peace, light, and love guide your path. Always.
#Vulnerability #SelfAcceptance #HealingJourney #SecondBloom #LettingGo #EmbracingYourPath
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