In life, we tend to do a lot of explaining and bending over backward to appease others. However, while there is a time and a place to do that, there is also a time and a place to realize that there are some occasions in which you don’t owe anyone an explanation.
As a people pleaser, I spent a lot of my life apologizing and explaining away every choice and decision I made. I constantly found myself saying, “I am sorry, but ________.,” in situations in which I had no reason to. The thing is- this is your life and your journey. The choices you make and decisions about your life may feel like something you should explain away to society, your family, and your friends. But, when it comes down to it- this is YOUR life.
Here are 8 things you don’t owe anyone an explanation for.
1. For needing time alone.
We all need some alone time sometimes. The thing is- no one is walking in your shoes, and ultimately, you are the only one who knows when it is time to say, “Hey, I need some time to myself.” Don’t explain why. Don’t try to make yourself feel better about it. Instead, be okay with it all on your own, everyone else is damned.
2. For your personal religious beliefs.
There are so many times I have been in a group setting and the topic of religion comes up. There is always one person who tries to explain their beliefs away because they are the odd ones out in the group. No matter what you believe-you don’t owe anyone an explanation for it.
3. For your personal political beliefs.
On the same coin, it might be hard for today’s society to grasp, with social media allowing people to scream their beliefs from the rooftop- but you don’t owe anyone an explanation for your political beliefs. Believe what you want to. As long as you aren’t harming anyone, who cares?
4. For your relationships.
We’ve all been there in the room with that person who has a relationship their friends and family don’t agree with. Within moments of them entering the social gathering, there is always one or two people who have something to say. “But he’s not good enough for you, Susan,” they might say. However, you don’t owe anyone an explanation for your relationships.
5. For choosing to be single.
People tend to believe they are owed an explanation for someone else’s choices, especially if they go against the grain. Because most people do choose to couple up, when a person chooses to be single-their friends and family may want to know why. However, remember, this is your life, and you do not owe anyone an explanation for the choices you make.
6. For choosing to have a ton of children, or for choosing to have none at all.
It is so annoying to me how people think that their opinion matters when it comes to how many kids you are going to have. If you have more than they think is necessary, “Do you think you need that many kids?!” they say. And if you don’t have any, “When are you going to have a child, you know time is passing you by,” they say. To either of these, shrug your shoulders and move on. Because it’s none of their business.
7. For your personal health choices.
If you are making personal changes in your life for your health, there are always going to be naysayers. One person may tell you that you need to do it this way, while another will say that you should do it another. However, whatever choices you make are yours and yours alone.
8. For the way you look.
You do not owe anyone an explanation for how you look. Everyone will have their opinions, but when it comes down to it- it isn’t their body and they don’t have to worry about it.