Making Choices for Yourself

There is something freeing to saying you are no longer going to do things you don't want to, and that you are doing to do what you like even if others don't approve.

The concept is simple, but you might be surprised how often you fall into this trap. Life is too short to spend it worrying what other people may or may not think about you. As soon as you stop seeking approval, you free yourself to enjoy life.

My husband did not approve of a particular outfit I bought. I mentioned it in my previous post, black striped sweater dress with magenta tights. He said it didn't match and thought others would see me as silly for wearing it. I still wore it, because when I had it on with my winter boots, I felt like a rockstar. When I got home from school he asked me if anyone else said anything about my clothes, and I said no, but it didn't matter. When I was walking around campus, I felt like queen of self-esteem and that radiated off of me.

Confidence is your best accessory. Yes, that sounds cheesy, but that doesn't make it any less true.

Another example is regarding Anne Rice novels. For years I got these novels to read because people always told me they loved them. I read one and hated it, but I kept trying to make myself like them because I thought that if I didn't, obviously something was wrong with me. Finally, I let go of it. Now I get the books I like, which is often teeny bopper faerie novels, but it doesn't matter, because that is what I like.

The best thing you can do for yourself is to appreciate what you really enjoy! When you force yourself to be something you don't really feel deep inside, then you are lying to yourself and will be nothing but miserable. Don't apologize for being who you are. If your friends can't appreciate you for the real you, trust me, you can find new friends who will! I did!