Do you know what the greatest fear of human beings is? I believe it’s fear itself—the fear of what people will say if we dare to be different. The fear of judgment, of disapproval, of rejection. Do you agree? Well, that’s your choice. But from my point of view, this fear is the invisible chain that holds us back from living freely.
Every move we make is scrutinized by those around us, as if we are actors on a stage, performing for an audience that never stops watching. Society expects us to fit into molds, to follow the script, to never stray from the “acceptable.” And because of this, we often hesitate. We suppress our dreams, silence our voices, and compromise our true selves.
But let me tell you this, follow your heart, follow your instincts. They are the only guiding light you need in the fog of confusion. The greatest minds in history didn’t wait for permission to be themselves. Imagine if Galileo had feared what the Church would say when he proved that the Earth revolves around the sun. Imagine if Rosa Parks had been too afraid of judgment to refuse giving up her seat. The world would have been robbed of progress, simply because someone was afraid of whispers and stares.
Don’t let others’ opinions dictate your life. They are not you. They don’t walk in your shoes, they don’t carry your burdens, and they certainly don’t get to decide your happiness. If your heart tells you to take a risk, to chase a dream, to speak your truth—then hell yeah, do it! Don’t waste a second worrying about the approval of people who wouldn’t even remember your name in a few years.
Yes, your actions may disappoint some. But remember this: You cannot please everyone. Even the most beloved figures in history had critics. People mocked Van Gogh while he was alive, only to worship his paintings after he was gone. Had he listened to those who doubted him, the world would have been deprived of masterpieces like Starry Night. If he had let others define his worth, his legacy would have been lost.
There are differences among people—in thoughts, in beliefs, in actions. No one is exactly alike. And that’s okay. We may dream of an ideal world where everyone understands us, where we are never judged, where acceptance is universal. But that world does not exist. And that’s okay, too. You don’t need a perfect world to be yourself. You just need the courage to own who you are.
You were created exactly as you are meant to be. Never shrink yourself to make others comfortable. If someone judges you, let them. If someone doubts you, prove them wrong. And if someone tells you that you can’t—show them that you can!
But in all this, never forget the ones who gave you life. The ones who stood by you when the world turned away. The ones who loved you before you even knew how to love yourself. Because while you owe the world nothing, you owe gratitude to those who truly see you.
So go. Be fearless. Be unapologetic. Be you.
– Itinerant Soul