28 Feb Maybe you just need to stop caring…
I'm guessing that most, if not all of you reading this care a lot…
…you care about happiness, about others, about life, and making a better world, and so much more.
But sometimes caring too much can be detrimental to our happiness. Maybe caring less, about these 7 things, might actually help in our efforts to enjoy more happiness…
via Bustle by Teresa Newsome
Do you ever have those moments where you care way too much about too many things and you feel like your insides are going to explode? Maybe that's just my anxiety disorder talking, but I have discovered many things you can stop caring about ASAP for improved happiness and self-esteem, and I feel like many of these things are pretty universal, at least on a small level. If it's possible to stop caring. Because let's face it. Sometimes we just have a lot of feelings, OK!?
When I worked with couples as a Domestic Violence Victim Advocate and Planned Parenthood Certified Responsible Sexuality Educator, I often introduced the revolutionary concept of not caring, and saw firsthand that it changed lives. Not caring if the house was perfect. Not caring what in-laws thought. And yes, even occasionally not caring what your partner thought. Freedom! Why do we carry so many burdens around with us?
Being able to decide you just DGAF about something is part skill that requires practice and part re-education about what really matters to you. That being said, if you care about these things and want to keep caring about them, well, you'll be happy to know that one of the things you should stop caring about is what Internet articles tell you to care or not care about! That was a mouthful. The point is, there are bound to be some cares in your life that are not doing you any favors. Putting those cares down will make more room in your life for joy. And pizza. Because you should totally not care about eating pizza sometimes. That's just, like, an ancient religious truth or something. So try on these seven DGAF scenarios and see if you can improve your happiness with a little new thinking.
1. What People Think
I heard Maci from Teen Mom OG tell her boyfriend, "You can be the juiciest peach in the world, and there will still be people out there who hate peaches." Ain't that the truth, Maci. Ain't that the truth. There will always be people who are dealing with different things in their life, who take that out on you in the form of jealousy, resentment, negativity, or judgement. Oh well. That's a reflection of them, not you. You don't have to prove yourself, explain yourself, justify your actions, or get permission from anyone to do anything. The people who don't like it — well, like I said, that's not really about you. So pay it no mind. And if you have to pay it at least a little mind, say something to yourself like "aw, I feel bad for them because they have no clue what they're talking about.It's unfortunate." Then shake off the dust (or glitter).
2. Negative People
One of the absolute best gifts you could ever give yourself is permission to not care about other people's drama and negativity. Even if someone you love is going through a hard time, you have permission to draw a line in the sand that protects you from the downward spiral of negativity (while still being supportive). In other words, you don't have to make other people's problems your own. And while we're on the subject, you don't even have to let negative people in your life to begin with. Cutting people out of your life is hard, and it might make you feel guilty and lonely, but it's better to be lonely while you build a squad that lifts you up than to surround yourself with people who drag you down. Trust…
…keep reading the full & original article HERE