Here’s the truth: most of what happens around you has nothing to do with you. Seriously. But we live in a world where it’s easy to take everything personally. Your friend didn’t text you back? Must mean they’re mad at you. Your boss gave you some tough feedback? Clearly, they don’t like you. Someone posts something on social media that doesn’t sit right? Must be a direct shot at you, right? Wrong.
Taking things personally is like walking through life with a big target on your chest. You’re constantly on guard, constantly assuming the worst about what people think or say. And the reality is, most of the time, people aren’t thinking about you at all. They’re too busy dealing with their own lives, their own struggles. It’s not about you.
When we take things personally, it’s a reflection of our own insecurities and fears. We internalize everything because we’re carrying around the belief that we’re not good enough, not smart enough, not lovable enough. So, every offhand comment, every bit of criticism feels like an attack on who we are. But here’s the thing: it’s not about you.
People have bad days. They have their own issues, their own stresses, their own baggage. Sometimes, they’re rude or dismissive because they’re in pain, not because you’ve done something wrong. And when you make everything about you, you rob yourself of peace and joy. You spend your energy worrying about things that aren’t even real.
So, how do you stop taking things personally? It starts with getting a grip on your identity. Knowing who you are—and who you’re not. You’ve got to anchor yourself in the truth that your value doesn’t come from what other people think or say. You are worthy and enough just as you are, and nobody else’s opinion can change that.
Next time someone criticizes you or makes an offhand comment, take a step back. Ask yourself, “Is this really about me, or is this person going through something I don’t even know about?” Most of the time, it’s not about you. It’s about them.
Taking things personally is exhausting, and it’s a choice. You can choose to let every little thing get under your skin, or you can choose to let it roll off. You can choose to obsess over what other people think, or you can choose to focus on being the best version of yourself. It’s up to you.
When you stop taking things personally, you give yourself freedom—freedom from the constant need for approval, freedom from the fear of rejection, and freedom from the weight of other people’s expectations. And that freedom? That’s where you’ll find peace.
So, let go of the idea that everything is about you. Most of the time, it’s not. And even when it is, that’s their problem, not yours. You don’t need everyone’s approval. You’re already enough.