What Would People Think?
Wow! what would people think?
I should have left that toxic friendship when I realized in my gut that it was wrong on all levels, should have blocked them on all socials, and kept moving, but people would think I’m bitter, they would think I’m childish, that I’m a hater. Goodness, people would think wrong about me.
I should have had the courage to walk away from that relationship sooner, but what would people think? They’d think I must suck real bad, that I couldn’t succeed at this one. People would think I’m such a terrible person; 2 weeks in, and I was already at the door. Oh my, people would think I’m the worst.
I wanted to wear that particular dress, dye my hair a specific color, show off a little skin, and smile like I had no worries, but what would people think? They’d think I’m showing off. Lord, they would think I’ve grown too proud. I suddenly moved overseas, and now I’m the crowned queen, but I am a queen. People would think I’ve always been the rude snub. Wow, people would think I’m vain.
I wanted to start a blog sooner, change careers and start doing what I love most, but they’d think I’m stupid for the wrong reasons. They’d think I had no clear path. I wanted to post more fun photos, but people would think my life’s perfect; they’d think I didn’t cry a while ago because my heart broke. People will think I’m cold and evil. People would think!
“(insert your first name), people will always think. We humans never stop thinking about something. People only stop when they’re dead. That’s when they’re no longer conscious of anything, but in the meantime, they’d always criticize, analyze, tear apart what they don’t know, hate what they can’t understand. People would always do that. Always!”
Maybe you’re a lot like me, who held back a lot because, for me, it was always about what people would think. Not necessarily what they said, but the fear that they’d judge me wrongly in their minds and I wouldn’t ever hear the words and defend myself, but I’d most definitely feel it in the way they related to me. That was the scary part for me, what people thought of me.
Here’s the ‘me’ that would go out of my way to preach that what people thought shouldn’t even matter, but I was still secretly bothered about it on the days I let my mind down.
People would always think of something, but it doesn’t have to stop you. Yes, yes, it’s not entirely easy to shed off that consciousness, but you’ve got to do it. Please do it for yourself. Live your life to the fullest. Be happy; heaven is indeed within us. Try your hands on everything you have a passion for. Love and soak yourself in the things that make you smile, in the true friends you make, in joyful moments, in your good plans for your future. Just do what gives you peace and brings joy.
“I can assure you that people would never stop thinking but it’s not your responsibility how far their minds decide to run. Let it pace while you race. Everybody will be fine.”
In other news, I should get my first tattoo. Now people would think I’ve gone wild, but oh well.
Your turn, what’s holding you back?
Rita Bran
Wow, this is inspiring, ofcourse people will always think but it shouldn’t affect our own way of doing things .rather let it be what do I think.
p.chidera
Rita BranTrue to the last word! 💯 Thank you!
Jessica
👏🏽 Every single word is the truth. Some has to do with the way we were raised and the environment we were brought up in. You were thought to never take risks, don’t do anything that might tanish the name of your family, your life is already planned ahead of you. When I came overseas, it was like my eyes opened to so many ways of life. I learned to always take that risk because no one knows tomorrow. Leave for yourself and no one else. People are always gonna talk no matter if you do good or bad. So let them talk when you are enjoying on your yacht in Brazil. This generation and their spirit has opened the eyes and mind of so many including some of our families set in their old ways.
p.chidera
JessicaYou’re correct. Our environment and background play a significant role in shaping our lives, but at the end of the day, we must do our best to break from that shell and live for ourselves regardless of what anyone thinks.
Thank you, Jessica! ❤
Ruthhh
People would always think and say what they wanna say no matter what you do… Just do what makes you happy…Thanks for this piece Precious 🥰😍
p.chidera
Ruthhh‘Do what makes you happy! That’s the keyword!
Thank you, Ruth! ❤
Sochima Nwora
I loved this, what would people think has actually put me into a-lot of uncomfortable situations. Daily I’m learning to focus on what I think and not what people think.
Thank you for this beautiful piece
p.chidera
Sochima NworaThank you! 😍
Lonimi Laditan
Oh mehnnnn. This is my best post so far. Like are you in my head? Everything, posting on Social media, changing careers, starting a blog, getting a tattoo 😉😋. I’m an over-thinker. But sometimes I damn all the consequences and do it anyway. I know I’m still holding back in some ways but we start from somewhere, don’t we? I’m going to live my life to the fullest, because when you do absolutely nothing, people will still talk!
p.chidera
I’m in your head! I heard one time that thoughts radiate, I guess we both caught it 😅
There a certain things I still hesitate about but when I remind myself that it’s my duty to live my life to the fullest and dead the noise, I just go ahead.
When you get that tattoo, make sure you tag me to the post on all socials 😀
Peter
“Man is free but is everywhere in chains”…. I remember reading that back in my philosophy class in the uni and it stuck…
Most of us drag along the heavy chains of mental bondage that societal expectations have cast us into without even realising it.
Especially in this part of the world (Africa, or Nigeria to be precise) , a lot of people do or don’t do a lot of things not because they want or don’t want to, but because society and those around them expect it. It’s crazy how it’s our life yet people dictate to us how we live it even without saying a word.
Finding the courage to break free and just do you is the most liberating feeling in the world.
Thank you Presh for this resonating piece..🥰
p.chidera
Thank you, Peter!😊