Don't Stop Being Who You Are Just to Please Other People

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By Casey Pipet

“Those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind”

Not too long ago I uploaded a video to Instagram of myself working on techniques when it comes to bouldering. I was really proud of it and I still am. Unfortunately someone decided to comment on it and was pointing me out and asking when I was actually going to attempt what they deemed to be ‘hard’ routes.

I Shouldn’t Have to Explain Myself

At first this really got to me because I don’t understand why others have to say things like that especially when I was so happy with the video. We all have to start somewhere for the things we are passionate about and work our way up.

I’m not the best climber, I’m far from that but I’m not trying to be the best, I’m trying to progress in an area that I am passionate about. I shouldn’t have to explain myself to others, no one should.

Negative Comments Get to You

If you are happy with something that you are working on and want to share it then you should be able to. The people who truly matter will be happy for you and will encourage you to continue in bettering yourself. Those who don’t matter will have something negative to say.

The trick to getting past those negative comments is to cut them out of your life, because life is hard enough. Especially when you are surrounded by people who are constantly trying to put you down. Once you cut those people out, you don’t have people putting you down. They can’t make you doubt the one thing you are trying to accomplish, because their comments won’t get to you.

One Nice Comment Can Make Someone’s Day

After reading that comment I started to question why I was climbing, and then I realised I’m not climbing to please other people or to show off. No, I am climbing to feel alive, I am climbing for myself. It is something that makes me feel amazing, and yes, I do want to get better at it. However, it’s not so that I can show off, but so that I can prove to myself that I can in fact accomplish the goals that I have set for myself.

I firmly believe that we aren’t put on this planet to please other people. We all have something unique to offer to the table, all have the power to affect people in a positive way. Just a simple hello as you pass someone in the hallway or a nice comment on someone’s post can make that person’s day.

Be Kind to People

But on the flip side, one negative comment or stare can ruin someone’s day, and that is something that we all have to keep in mind because we have no idea what people are going through.

Be kind to people, encourage them to do the things they love, and if anyone ever has something negative to say about the things you love, don’t ever stop what you are doing to please other people.

Reproduced with permission, originally posted on caseypipet