We’ve all been there—agonising over a slip of the tongue in a meeting or worrying that everyone at the gym is judging us. This article is your reminder to stop seeking approval and start living unapologetically.

The Brutal Truth: Most People Aren’t Thinking About You at All

Let’s rip the plaster off quickly, shall we? Most people are too busy worrying about themselves to spend any meaningful time thinking about you.  

That moment when you said something awkward in a meeting? Gone from their memory quicker than your phone battery on 3%. The gym session where you were sure everyone noticed your red face? They didn’t. They were too busy wondering if their own workout outfit made them look like a budget superhero.  

The FNG understands this: worrying about other people’s opinions is like renting out space in your head without charging rent.  

The Problem With People-Pleasing? You’ll Never Please Everyone

Even if you could control what everyone thinks (you can’t), it would be utterly exhausting trying. You’ll twist yourself into a human pretzel trying to meet expectations that were never yours to begin with. And for what? A few nods of approval that’ll vanish quicker than the biscuits at a team meeting.  

The FNG knows that standing firm in your own skin—awkward pauses, mistakes, and all—is the only way to truly feel comfortable. You weren’t made to be liked by everyone. You were made to be you. And that’s more than enough.  

When Opinions Hurt: Learn to Filter the Noise

That’s not to say criticism doesn’t sting. It does. But here’s the magic trick: not all opinions deserve the same weight.  

• Constructive feedback? Valuable, even if it’s uncomfortable. Take it, learn, improve.  
• Unsolicited negativity? Let it slide off like rain on a good waxed jacket.  

As Brené Brown, Speaker and Researcher, put it, “If you’re not in the arena, also getting your ass kicked, I’m not interested in your feedback.” The FNG listens to those in the trenches, not the ones lobbing opinions from the safety of the sidelines.  

Freedom Comes From Letting Go of Approval  

Imagine the mental energy you’d reclaim if you stopped worrying about what your boss, neighbour, or that random stranger at Pret thinks of your life choices.  

• Want to start that business? Do it.  
• Thinking of moving abroad? Pack those bags.  
• Fancy taking up salsa dancing at 45? Spin away, my friend.  

The only person who lives with the consequences of your decisions is you. So why hand over the keys to your happiness to someone else’s expectations?  

The FNG’s Guide to Living Unapologetically

Here’s how to start caring less (in a healthy, life-enhancing way):  

1. Know Your Values: When your actions align with your core beliefs, outside opinions lose their power.  
2. Practice Saying No: Every “yes” to someone else’s approval is a “no” to your own peace of mind.  
3. Find Your Tribe: Surround yourself with people who celebrate your authenticity, not those who chip away at it.  

Your Opinion of Yourself Is the Only One That Matters

Here’s the kicker: the person whose opinion matters most? That FNG staring back at you in the mirror.  

Be proud of the risks you’ve taken, the mistakes you’ve owned, and the progress no one else sees. Growth doesn’t always look glamorous—it’s messy, awkward, and often invisible to others. But it’s yours. 

So, next time you find yourself tangled in someone else’s judgment, take a breath and remember: what anybody thinks of you is none of your business.  

Now go out there and live like the FNG you were born to be—bold, unapologetic, and free from other people’s expectations.