The art of not caring what others think: 8 simple ways to live a happy life

There’s a liberating beauty in not caring what others think about you.

However, it’s easier said than done. For many of us, the fear of judgement often dictates our actions and decisions in life. But let me let you in on a secret: It doesn’t have to be that way.

Hi, I’m Lachlan Brown, founder of Hack Spirit and an avid follower of mindfulness and Buddhism. To be honest, I’ve spent a considerable chunk of my life learning the art of not caring what others think.

It’s a journey, not a destination; but trust me, it’s a journey worth embarking on. It’s all about cultivating a certain mindset and implementing some simple practices into your daily life.

Let’s dive into this. Here are my 8 simple ways to live a happier life by mastering the art of not caring what others think.

1) Embrace imperfection

We live in a world that’s obsessed with the idea of perfection. From flawless social media profiles to the pressure of achieving career heights, we’re constantly bombarded with images and expectations that can instill a fear of judgment.

But guess what? It’s all an illusion.

As a practitioner of mindfulness and Buddhism, I’ve learned that life is inherently imperfect, and that’s perfectly okay. The path to not caring about others’ opinions starts with accepting this reality.

You see, the fear of judgment often stems from our own insecurities and the notion that we should be flawless. But when we acknowledge and embrace our imperfections, we start to realize that everyone has their own struggles. This understanding can significantly reduce the weight of others’ opinions.

Start by practicing self-compassion. Instead of criticizing yourself for your flaws, remind yourself that you’re human and it’s okay to be imperfect. This shift in mindset can be incredibly liberating.

2) Practice mindfulness

One of the most effective ways to not care about what others think is by practicing mindfulness. Trust me on this, I’ve seen it work wonders in my life.

Mindfulness is simply about being present in the moment, aware of your thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgment. When we’re mindful, we’re not worrying about the future or dwelling on the past. We’re not obsessing over what others might think of us. We’re just here, in the now.

Thich Nhat Hanh, a renowned Buddhist monk and mindfulness expert, once said: “The present moment is the only moment available to us, and it is the door to all moments.”

By focusing on the present moment, we can detach ourselves from the fear of judgment. Our thoughts become less about external perceptions and more about our inner peace and happiness.

3) Understand the impermanence of all things

This point isn’t sugar-coated. It’s raw and it’s at the heart of Buddhist wisdom: Everything is impermanent.

Our lives, our achievements, our failures, and yes, even the opinions of others, are all fleeting. They’re here one moment and gone the next. Yet, we often let these transient things dictate our happiness and self-worth.

Think about it. The judgment or criticism you’re fearing today, will it matter in a year? Or five years? Most likely, the answer is no.

By understanding the concept of impermanence, we can detach ourselves from the fear of others’ opinions. We can realize that their thoughts or judgments are temporary and don’t define our worth or our future.

4) Establish self-awareness

Here’s the raw truth: Sometimes, the fear of what others think isn’t about others at all. It’s about us. It’s about our insecurities, our self-doubt, and our need for external validation. This is where mindfulness and self-awareness come into play.

By practicing mindfulness, we can cultivate self-awareness and understand our feelings better. We can recognize when our fear of judgement is actually a reflection of our own insecurities.

It’s not easy. It requires honesty with oneself and the courage to face our fears and insecurities head-on. But it’s a crucial step towards liberating ourselves from the fear of others’ opinions.

Mindfulness isn’t just about being present—it’s also about understanding ourselves better. Through self-awareness, we can recognize our patterns, cope with our insecurities, and eventually, live a life less influenced by what others think.

5) Learn to live with minimum ego

This is something I’ve explored extensively in my own journey and in my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego.

The ego can be a tricky thing. It thrives on validation and fears judgment. The ego makes us believe that we need to conform to societal norms and expectations to be accepted or successful.

But here’s the deal: The ego is not our true self. It’s just a construct of our mind.

By learning to live with minimum ego, we can free ourselves from the fear of what others think. We can start living authentically, guided by our own values and beliefs rather than external opinions.

It’s not an overnight change, but every small step towards reducing the influence of the ego brings us closer to a life of freedom and happiness. If you’re interested in exploring this further, I delve into this topic more deeply in my book. It’s all about living life to its fullest while keeping the ego in check.

6) Let go of attachment

Here’s a fundamental concept in Buddhism: Attachment is the root of all suffering. This includes our attachment to other people’s opinions. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but it’s the raw and honest truth.

We often cling to the desire for approval and fear of disapproval from others. This attachment not only affects our mental peace but also prevents us from living authentically.

What if we let go of this attachment? What if we stop giving other people’s opinions power over our happiness and self-worth?

By practicing mindfulness, we can observe these attachments without judgment. We can understand that they are not serving our well-being and let them go.

Letting go doesn’t mean not caring about anything. It means caring about your peace of mind more than others’ judgments. It’s a liberating practice that can lead you to a happier life.

7) Cultivate compassion

This might be hard to swallow, but here’s the raw truth: The fear of what others think often stems from a lack of compassion — towards others and towards ourselves.

Think about it. If we truly understand and empathize with the fact that everyone has their own journey, their own struggles, and their own perspectives, would we still fear their opinions?

Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh wisely said: “Compassion is a verb.” It’s not just about feeling it; it’s about acting on it. It involves understanding, empathy, and most importantly, acceptance — of others and of ourselves.

This realization can free you from the fear of judgment and lead to a happier, more peaceful life.

8) Care about what others think

Now, this might seem counterintuitive. After all, this entire article is about not caring about what others think, right? However, mindfulness teaches us balance. And part of that balance is understanding when to care and when not to.

Yes, it’s crucial to not let others’ opinions dictate your life or self-worth. But it’s also essential to remain open to feedback and criticism. It helps us grow and improve.

The trick is in discerning constructive criticism from mere judgment. And mindfulness can help with that. By being present and attentive, we can better understand the intent behind the feedback.

It’s not about being oblivious to what others say or think. It’s about not letting it control your life. By maintaining this balance, you can live a happier life — free yet mindful of others’ opinions.

Conclusion

The journey to not caring what others think is less about others and more about ourselves. It’s about embracing our imperfections, being present, understanding the impermanence of all things, cultivating self-awareness, living with minimum ego, letting go of attachments, practicing compassion, and finding the balance in caring about what others think.

It’s not an overnight transformation. It’s a journey. But as you embark on this journey, remember that every step counts.

If you’re interested in delving deeper into some of these topics, I invite you to check out my book Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego. It offers more insights into living a life free from the constraints of ego and societal expectations.

Your life is yours to live. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your inner voice. Live authentically. Live happily.