On 10 things about which you should not give a shit

There's something incredibly freeing about not giving a shit.  I don't mean not giving a shit about anything.  No, there are some things in this world that we most definitely need to give a shit about-- world hunger, religion, freedom, equality, etc...  Yes, there are definitely those things, but there are also a number of things that are really not worth our shit-giving.  Things that are a waste of our mental and emotional energy.  Things about which we worry for no purpose except to worry.  Things that we worry about without improvement resulting.

In light of that sentiment, here is a list of...

10 things about which you should not give a shit.

1.  If your favorite ship will sail.  People get really intense about this!  Surprisingly intense in my opinion.  I get it, that when you get invested in a fandom you also get invested, personally, in the characters.  They become an important part of you.  You like them because you identify with some part of them.  When they don't end up with the person you have declared their "endgame" (is that an accurate use of that word?) then it's like a personal offense.  But here's the thing, you are so much more than a television character.  You are a complicated, unique, three-dimensional being with a real life, not one created by others.  Your happiness does not need to depend on the happiness of a fictional character.  But I get it...Naley.  The feels.

2.  Whether or not someone likes you.  If someone doesn't like you then they're not worth your time and you don't want to be hanging out with them anyways.  They'll suck the life out of you like a dementor. You'll keep trying to get them to like you and they probably won't change their mind because, fair to say, if they don't like you, they're crazy. No one needs more crazy in their lives.  Spend your time finding people who appreciate you instead.

3.  Whether or not your clothes are "appropriate".   Wear what you like and werk it.  You chose the clothes you chose for a reason-- because you like them.  Any differentiation from that is you taking action to please others instead of yourself.  Put yourself first.

4.  That you are awkward.  Awkward is beautiful.  Some of the most loved celebrities out there are loved for their awkwardness (e.g., Jennifer Lawrence).  Awkward people are the best.  For further clarification see my post on weird people and why they're the best.  I freaking love awkward...especially people who embrace their own awkward and I know I'm not the only one.

5.  Whether or not you are smart enough.  Listen...there are always going to be people who are smarter than you.  That is just going to happen.  And the smartest person in the world does not exist. What does exist is a bunch of people who are really smart about specific topics.  No one knows everything but everyone is really smart about something.  For example, I'm really smart about psychology, but ask me about sports and I'm like Flounder on hot sand.   It's knowing what that something is, not that you're a genius with lots of degrees, that makes you smart.

6.  Whether or not you are "pretty enough". This is so cliched but it is so true.  You are beautiful.  You are beautiful because you are you and because you are an imperfect person with flaws.  Flaws are what make people beautiful.  Embrace your flaws and you'll be a lot happier and more self-confident. And if you're having a really bad day, realize that even "pretty girls" can look pretty flawed https://imgur.com/gallery/rOROR.

7.  If your music interests are unique.  Only hipsters care about this...don't be a hipster.  If you like it listen to it.  If you don't, then don't.  Simple.

8. Whether or not you're successful enough. Success is relative.  Your definition of "successful enough" should be based exclusively on your own goals and expectations for yourself, not on the expectations of others and their goals for you.  If you're happy with your life then you're successful.  No number of dollars, or children, or significant others, can define that.  Only you can.  If you're not happy with your life then think about how to be happier, don't wallow in your unhappiness.

9.  How many followers you have on social media.  How many "followers" or "friends" you have is not an indication of anything except the amount of time you have spent online.  If that is something that is important to you--spending a lot of time online--then sure, use those numbers as a proxy measure of your success at your endeavour.  If spending a lot of time online is not your goal, then forget about the numbers and forget about posting things just so you can impress people with your income, food, lifestyle, etc.  Worry about maintaining meaningful relationships instead.

10. Whether or not people disagree with you.  Haterz gonna hate.  You can have opinions.  In fact, you should have opinions.   And the great thing about opinions is that they are personal and it's okay if yours is different from other people's.  No need to pretend that you agree when your opinion really just shows that you've thought an don't resent other people for also thinking.