You’ll Never be Able to Please Everyone: So Why are You Still Trying?

Britney Spears once said, “I’m Mrs. ‘She’s too big— now she’s too thin,”— and that was a more apt observation than most of us realized at the time.

My entire adolescent experience was spent worrying to no end what people thought about me; I eventually gave it up one day, because I had the (obvious, but hard to see at times) revelation that no matter what any of us do, we’ll never please everyone— so why are we still trying?

This post serves your reminder to love yourself, no matter where you are in your journey, and embrace radical self love and healing as we enter the new year. Let’s discuss—

The social media toxic trap

For one, let’s be clear— social media has obviously increased our obsession with ourselves and with others (what they’re doing, wearing, what they look like, and so on), and the levels of comparison between ourselves and others is at an all-time high thanks to social media’s primary focus: pictures of our highlights, our “best and brightest” moments, which may or may not actually reflect our real lives.

Basically, it boils down to something really simple— social media isn’t real life. Don’t make assumptions about people based on their posts, good or bad. Talk to them; have real, human conversations; and know we’re all human and all doing our best, and that we aren’t in competition with one another (despite what social media might make you think.)

Let ‘em talk

Humans are social creatures. This can be a good thing; it aids us in cultivating community and caring for one another when we need it most. However, it also means humans can be gossipy creatures, often talking about people for the sake of, well, entertainment purposes— and that’s not always a good thing.

As Britney Spears said, people are always going to talk about one another. If you’re doing your best (which is all you can do) and working on yourself, then who cares what other people think? People will talk about you, about others, about each other no matter what or how you’re doing— so why waste a mere moment giving a damn what they say? Some people just like to hear the sound of their own voice; but that doesn’t mean they’re right, or that their opinion holds any weight in terms of your true worth.

TL;DR? Build your own self-worth based on your personal goals and ideals. “Those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.”

Practice radical self love, today and always

Most importantly— practice radical self love, today and always. If you’re trying your best and working toward your goals (hell, even if you just survived the day), that’s all that matters. You’re doing amazing, sweetie, and all humans (no matter what stage of our journey we’re in, or what season) deserve love— and you can start by giving yourself the radical self love you truly deserve.

Happy end-of-year to all; and just know I’ll be celebrating radical self love now and all throughout the New Year (and you should, too!)

Xoxo, MM.