It’s natural to care what other people think — we’re social creatures, after all.
However, when other people’s opinions start dictating your emotions, confidence, and overall happiness, it’s time to take back control. Not everyone will agree with you, support you, or see things from your perspective, and that’s okay. Learning to detach from unnecessary criticism and external judgement can free you from stress and self-doubt. When you stop letting opinions that don’t serve you to take up space in your mind, life gets a whole lot better. Here’s how to put this into action.
1. Remember that opinions aren’t facts.
Just because someone has an opinion about you doesn’t mean it’s true. People view the world through their own experiences, biases, and insecurities, which means their opinions often say more about them than they do about you. Some people will judge you based on assumptions rather than facts, and you can’t control that.
Instead of accepting every comment as truth, remind yourself that opinions are just perspectives, not facts. You don’t have to internalise someone else’s version of reality, especially if it doesn’t align with what you know about yourself.
2. Ask yourself if their opinion actually matters.
Not all opinions deserve your attention. If the person offering criticism isn’t someone you respect, admire, or trust, why give their words so much power over your emotions? People who don’t truly know you can’t accurately judge you, yet their words can stick if you let them.
Before letting someone’s opinion ruin your mood, ask yourself: does this person’s perspective really matter in the grand scheme of my life? If the answer is no, let it go. The more you focus on the voices that actually support you, the more confident you’ll feel.
3. Stop chasing approval from people who don’t understand you.
Trying to please everyone is exhausting and, more importantly, impossible. Some people will never understand your choices, your values, or your path in life, and that’s not your problem to fix. The need for validation from people who don’t truly support you can create unnecessary emotional turmoil.
Instead of looking for approval from people who don’t align with you, focus on people who genuinely support and respect you. Their opinions carry more weight than those who are simply looking to criticise or tear you down.
4. Recognise when someone’s opinion is about them, not you.
Sometimes, people project their own fears, insecurities, or limitations onto other people. When someone is overly critical, dismissive, or judgemental, it often reflects their inner struggles more than anything you’ve done wrong. Many people criticise other people to distract from their own issues.
Instead of taking every comment personally, consider whether their reaction is coming from their own baggage. You don’t have to carry the weight of someone else’s unresolved emotions or negative worldview.
5. Build trust in your own judgement.
The more confidence you have in yourself, the less other people’s opinions will shake you. If you constantly doubt yourself, external criticism will feel like confirmation of your worst fears. The key is strengthening your own sense of self so that you don’t feel the need to rely on external validation.
Start paying attention to your own inner voice. The more you trust your instincts, values, and decisions, the less you’ll rely on outside validation to feel secure in your choices. Confidence doesn’t come from being right all the time; it comes from knowing you’re allowed to make your own decisions.
6. Limit your exposure to negative people.
If certain people always leave you feeling drained, insecure, or second-guessing yourself, it might be time to limit your exposure to them. Some people thrive on negativity and dragging people down, and keeping them in your life will only make it harder to maintain a strong sense of self.
Surrounding yourself with supportive, uplifting people makes a huge difference in how much power other opinions have over you. The less negativity you absorb, the stronger your confidence will become. You don’t owe anyone access to your energy if they constantly deplete it.
7. Stop over-explaining yourself.
Not everyone deserves an explanation for your choices. If you’re constantly justifying your decisions, it’s a sign that you’re seeking approval rather than standing confidently in what’s right for you. While it’s natural to want to be understood, over-explaining can make you feel like you need permission to live your life.
Instead of trying to convince other people to understand, practise saying things like, “This is what works for me,” and leaving it at that. You don’t need permission to do what makes you happy.
8. Accept that not everyone will like you.
Source: Unsplash Some people won’t like you for reasons that have nothing to do with you. They might dislike something about your personality, your success, or even just the way you carry yourself. In reality, that’s their issue to deal with, not yours.
Trying to make everyone happy only leads to exhaustion and inauthenticity. Instead of focusing on winning everyone over, embrace the fact that you’re not for everyone — and that’s okay. The right people will value and appreciate you as you are.
9. Create distance between you and negativity.
Sometimes, you don’t need to confront someone’s opinion — you just need to step away from it. Whether it’s toxic social media comments, critical family members, or judgemental acquaintances, putting distance between yourself and negativity protects your peace.
Unfollow, mute, block, or simply disengage when necessary. You don’t have to subject yourself to opinions that add nothing valuable to your life. Energy spent on negativity is energy taken away from what actually makes you happy.
10. Remind yourself of what actually makes you happy.
When someone’s opinion starts weighing on you, shift your focus to what actually matters in your life. Are you happy? Are you doing things that align with your values? Are you surrounding yourself with people who uplift you? When you prioritise your own happiness and well-being, the weight of outside opinions diminishes. What truly matters is whether you are at peace with your choices.
11. Strengthen your emotional resilience.
Source: Unsplash Developing resilience helps you handle criticism and judgement without letting it control your emotions. When you build self-awareness and confidence, negative opinions lose their ability to ruin your mood.
Practices like journaling, self-reflection, or therapy can help strengthen your emotional resilience, allowing you to process opinions without internalising them. The more emotionally strong you become, the less external negativity will affect you.
12. Challenge that negative self-talk going around and around in your head.
Source: Unsplash Sometimes, other people’s opinions hurt because they align with our own self-doubt. If you already struggle with insecurity, an offhand comment can feel like proof that your worst fears are true. When this happens, pause and challenge your inner dialogue. Are you being too hard on yourself? Is this opinion actually valid, or are you just using it to reinforce existing self-doubt? Your mind can be trained to respond with self-compassion instead of criticism.
13. Remind yourself that life is too short to be ruled by other people’s opinions.
Source: Unsplash At the end of the day, you’re the one who has to live with your choices. Other people’s opinions won’t pay your bills, bring you happiness, or create the life you want. Giving them too much weight only takes you further away from your own goals.
Letting go of outside judgement frees you to focus on what truly matters: living in a way that feels fulfilling and authentic to you. Once you realise how much lighter life feels without carrying unnecessary opinions, you’ll never want to go back.
