Seeking the approval of others...

For me, graduating from high school and moving out of my home town freed me from that feeling of being judged. I was very lucky and got to go to a community college in a really “cool” part of Seattle. I saw a girl in a dress she had made out of a Little Mermaid bed sheet and I remember thinking “Ahh, now I can really dress however I want! I have true freedom!”

Personally, though, I think you’re never totally free from it, because, unless you’re a sociopath, there are always gonna be people in your life that you don’t want to let down. As you grow older though, you have more control and better judgement, which means you have an easier time deciding whether letting someone down is worth your own happiness.

For me, it was just getting older. I’m almost 30 and I have had a baby and you realize that life is too short to be constantly worried about what others think of you. Of course I still have things I’d like to fix about myself, but I’m happy and I’m trying to set a good example for my son. He’s my number one priority and he needs to see that I value myself and that I am strong. :)

most of the time I feel like I don’t live up to my own expectations lol. but it helps to prioritize what you really think is important, and put things in perspective—when you realize how silly some things are in the long run, it relieves some of the stress.

OH boy, I could write a book about this one.
First – if you are going to do something and are worried people might not approve, do not act as if you are shameful or seeking approval. Treat it as if it were normal and act non-chalant if people make a big deal of it.
Second – most people are so wrapped up in their own life to really care what anyone else is doing. If they make an issue, it is cause they have no life of their own.

Now with people judging or critiquing – They act like you are doing them wrong but is it not wrong on THEIR part to expect you to live as THEY want you to?

When in doubt, just think this in your head – “I cannot do that, someone might… (gasp) SAY something!” If you think of it correctly, you will laugh and realize, “It is my choice, heck with those who might (gasp) SAY something”.

I’m really young and the hardest part of my life with the most judgement was high school. But now that it’s over I’m growing as an adult and I’m enjoying it because I don’t do anything people expect me to do. I have good judgement from my friends and family and other peoples’ opinions don’t matter really.