There are only a few people I know that I really like. In spite of my outgoingness and bubble personality (something some say about me) , I am actually a very grumpy person, antisocial I might add and definitely judgmental 🤷🏼‍♀️ You are free not to like me just like I am free not to like you.

No matter how much we try, how much effort we put into it, there is no way in this world to be liked by everyone. We are different, we have different opinions, different personalities and we are bound to clash at one point or another. But if we  just find a handful of people who tolerate us and enjoy our company …. well, let’s just say we are amongst  the lucky ones!

Don’t try pleasing people. It’s exhausting, anxiety inducing and leads to nowhere. Shrug your shoulders and move on. Admit the fact that you yourself don’t accept just about everyone around you. The more you try, the more you fail here. It is not a winning game but rather an acceptance one.

We can’t control what other people think of us, but we can control how we react to those opinions. It is pretty important to remember self confidence and remember that our worth is not determined by what others think of us.

Most importantly, focus on those few who really matter. But it is easier said than done, isn’t it? Admit it. It eats you alive when you realise that you encountered someone who doesn’t like you. You start asking yourself what have you done wrong? Why is it that someone dares not liking this amazing person in front of them? I mean! You are awesome! You can give them solid reasons, can’t you? Well … you can but so can the others who you just don’t like without having a reason not to.

How about this? Let’s play a game! Close your eyes! No, actually don’t. You still need to read further. Just imagine this:

“If every single person who has liked you in your lifetime were to light up on a map, it would create the most glitteringly beautiful network you could imagine 

Throw in the strangers you’ve been kind to, the people you’ve made laugh, or inspired on the way, and that star-bright web of you would be an impressive site to behold. You’re so much more than you think you are.

You have done so much more than you realise. You’re trailing a pathway that you don’t even know about. What a thing. What a thing indeed.”

This was YOU – a poem by Donna Ashworth

I got goosebumps picturing my network. And no! Don’t think of me on a high horse. I am far from thinking highly of myself but I do remember friends I made laugh, I remember strangers sending messages years back when I was writing articles in a magazine, people I have never met but told me that I inspire them. I remember the lady I helped at a cafe when she was struggling with her screaming baby and almost burst into tears trying to quiet her bundle of joy while looking for her wallet in an overflowing bag as  anxiety was creeping in created by dirty looks from non parents wanting their stress free latte. 

Beautiful isn’t it? So many people who just liked you in that moment. So many people who you impressed with your awesomeness.

Did I make you smile? Did I make you feel better? Have you managed to picture that incredible network you’re still working on?

You’re welcome!

Shrug your shoulders now and move one! It’s ok not be liked by everyone!

I wonder if we ever cross paths? Did my network somehow touch yours?