How To Stop Caring About What Other People Think and Start Creating With Joy
For anyone who’s ever created something meaningful - and then hesitated to share it for fear of what others might think
If you’ve ever hesitated to share something - a piece of writing, a voice note, a project you care about - because of the fear of what others might think… this is for you.
When I started this podcast, I was right there. Caught between wanting to express something meaningful to me but worrying about how it might land. Would people think it was too much? Not enough? Would they think I was trying too hard? Not trying at all? Who am I to speak on anything! 🫨
This comes from FOPO - Fear of Other People’s Opinions.
It’s a very human thing. We’re wired for belonging. And when we share something personal - something we’ve made or believe in - it can feel like we’re putting our hearts on the line. We’re exposing ourselves, our soft underbellies. It’s vulnerable (and brave.)
In this week’s episode of The 10-Minute Shift, I talk about what has helped me reframe this so that it doesn’t hold me back anymore. It’s an idea from Elizabeth Gilbert’s book Big Magic, and it goes like this:
Once you make something and share it, it’s no longer yours.
People will see it through their own lens. Some might love it for reasons you didn’t expect. Others might misunderstand it completely. But none of that is yours to carry.
Your only job is to create what feels meaningful to you - and let it go.
To listen to the full 10 minute episode, click here
Here are a few questions to sit with:
What’s one thing you’ve held back from sharing - and why?
Where in your life are you still trying to “get it right” before you let yourself be seen?
What would you create - or share - if you weren’t trying to impress anyone?
Let’s explore this together. I’d be honoured to hear what you’re discovering.
With warmth,
Amy
