16 Apr Prisoners of judgement
|| Ideas on overcoming judgement and embracing emotional freedom ||
‘I am free… wait a minute, am I really?’
‘I want to buy this stunning new dress. It looks incredible.’
But then, self-doubt and fear of judgement flood in.
‘I’m not Gigi Hadid, with her model body and her fancy lifestyle. Maybe this dress is too extravagant for someone like me? How will people look at me? What will they think?’ Defeated by my own thoughts, I return to my basic jeans and shirt, blending in with the crowd. I have judged myself with the thought of being judged by others and have therefore made a decision based on projection and worry.
WE GLANCE IN THE MIRROR AND THE PERSON JUDGING US IS ALREADY STARING BACK AT US.
We wake up in the morning, prepare ourselves to face the day, and glance in the mirror. The first person judging us is already staring back at us. A sad truth, isn’t it? We judge and are judged continuously, all day long, 365 days a year. So how could one cope with that healthily?
Judgement is something I’ve been pondering over for quite some time. As I pursue personal growth and self-awareness, I realise the impact that judgement has on our lives. I come from a very small village where judging others is almost like a local sport, since there seemingly isn’t much to do or many exciting events taking place. You see, we automatically fall into the trap of judging others, and they do the same to us.
FACT IS THAT WE USUALLY DON'T KNOW AN AWFUL LOT ABOUT THE PERSON WE ARE JUDGING.
Some judgements are malicious, some harsh, some help us grow, while others attempt to make us understand. Fact is, though, we usually don’t know an awful lot about the person we’re judging. And I am pretty certain that we judge to either cover up insecurities of our own or reflect quiet judgements towards ourselves on others. Let me ask you: how do you feel when you’re judged by others? How much does the fear of being judged influence your life and your daily decisions? Are you truly free to do what you want and be yourself without fearing the judgement of others?
Practising mindfulness and working on building self-esteem can help us overcome these challenges. I’ve heard people say so many times that they love their partner or best friend because they can be their true selves when they’re together. What an incredible thing to say. There’s no judgement, just understanding and acceptance. Imagine: Someone else can do something for us that we can’t even do for ourselves. Authenticity is at the core of such relationships, allowing for a feeling of complete emotional freedom – freedom of expression and being who you are, or at least who you think you are.
This way, we can grow and perhaps learn more about ourselves because we don’t have to hide behind a mask or build up a barrier of protection, which normally consumes us for 16 hours a day. The remaining 8 hours, we sleep, processing everything we didn’t express during the day because, hey, we don’t want to be judged. So, let’s minimise the chances of ending up in a judgmental situation.
As we strive for authentic living, improving self-confidence, and reducing self-doubt, it’s important to reflect on how we judge and are judged. Self-acceptance plays a crucial role in our emotional well-being and in how we navigate our lives amidst constant judgement. I would like to inspire reflection, not reaction. Contemplate these words and be mindful of your reactions, actions, and thoughts.
it is important to reflect on how we judge and are judged.
To be free, as with everything, we should start at the very beginning, which is inside of us. Prioritise love, acceptance, and understanding over judging a person or situation, and practice kindness; always. Focus on fostering positive relationships, embracing a non-judgmental mindset, and coping with criticism.
Let’s set this world free, one step at a time.