01/11/2026
So often I hear people say this statement, “I don’t care what other people think about me.” While I believe this is the ultimate embodiment of self-love, I sometimes cringe at the delivery. Many times, it is said with anger. Many times, it is followed up with the words, “And they can go “F” themselves.” Many times, it is void of conviction.
I am sharing this post because the author’s response, which I have copied and pasted, explains it perfectly. It is a quick two-minute read.
I truly care about you, but I do not care what you think about me. Remember the second agreement.
Peace
When you truly don’t care what anyone thinks of you, you have reached a dangerously awesome level of freedom.
• This is not arrogance.
• This is not selfishness.
• This is not rebellion.
• This is inner liberation.
Most people spend their lives imprisoned by opinions that don’t even belong to them —living for approval, adjusting their truth to fit comfort, shrinking themselves to avoid judgment. The moment you stop needing validation, something powerful happens:
• You stop explaining yourself
• You stop proving your worth
• You stop performing for acceptance
• You stop living on borrowed approval
• You begin to live from the inside out, not the outside in.
Not caring what people think doesn’t mean you stop being kind. It means you stop letting fear decide your identity.
• You listen to feedback without being ruled by it
• You accept criticism without collapsing
• You accept rejection without self-betrayal
This level of freedom is “dangerous” only to systems that rely on your insecurity:
• Manipulators lose control
• Toxic people lose access
• Social pressure loses power
• Fear loses authority
In Buddhist wisdom, freedom begins when attachment ends — attachment not just to people, but to opinions, praise, blame, and image. When praise doesn’t inflate you and criticism doesn’t destroy you, you become unshakeable. Like a mountain during a storm: The weather changes — the mountain remains.
When you no longer care what others think:
• Your peace deepens
• Your choices become honest
• Your boundaries strengthen
• Your life becomes lighter
• You don’t live to be liked.
• You live to be true.
And that is the most powerful, peaceful, and liberating place a human being can stand.
