But What Will People Think?

As far back as I can remember, the opinions of others carried a huge weight for me. It wasn’t uncommon to hear the voice in my head whisper, “...but what will people think?” And just like that, I’d adjust. Dial it back. Edit myself. Shrink a little.

It’s taken me a long time—not just to admit that it mattered but to sit with why it mattered.

We all want to be seen in a good light. We want to be understood. We want people to see our heart through the noise, to recognize the truth of who we are beneath whatever stories they may have heard. And yet... not everyone will.

Some people see through filters that have nothing to do with us. Some make assumptions. Others haven’t done the inner work to form their own opinions, so they borrow someone else’s. And unfortunately, some people just don’t want to understand—because that would require them to confront their own discomfort.

That’s life. That’s people. That’s leadership.

In order to step into my potential—and stay there—I had to learn to let go of the noise. And as a people pleaser by nature, let me tell you: that’s no small feat.

What I’ve come to know is this:

Nobody ever grew into the person they were meant to be by pleasing everyone.

That's where boundaries come in. Many will say that setting boundaries is putting walls up- that it hinders communication. However, boundaries are there for when you need to protect your peace and preserve your energy.

"If you cannot be happy for me, if you cannot support me, if you are unable to cheer me on and encourage me when I feel stuck or fearful, you have no place in my inner circle."

Your circle doesn’t have to be large, but it does need to be safe. These days, I choose fierce kindness over fake niceness. I choose my own happiness over approval. And I choose to lead in a way that leaves room for humanity—mine and yours.

So, to the fellow people pleasers, emerging leaders, and everyday humans out there:

Be fierce. Be bold. Do you. Let go of opinions that don’t serve your mission.

And remember—your worth was never up for debate.