Anyone who tries to stand out is going to get judged. That’s just how it is. People will laugh. They’ll criticize. They’ll question your choices and even try to make you feel small. Not because they hate you, but because they don’t understand what you’re doing—or maybe because it reminds them of something they’d rather forget.
You see, most people have never taken the road you’re on. They’ve stuck with what’s familiar. Safe. Easy. So when they see someone stepping outside the box, it makes them uncomfortable. It’s like you’re showing them a different way to live, and that can be scary.
But sometimes, it’s deeper than that. Sometimes they did try something new. They took a risk once—and it didn’t go well. Maybe they failed badly. Maybe they were laughed at too. So now, when they see you going for something bold, it brings up those old feelings. And instead of supporting you, they judge you. Not because you’re wrong, but because they couldn’t handle the pain of trying again.
It’s sad, but that’s the truth. People who gave up will always try to pull you back. If you fail, it makes them feel better. If you succeed, it reminds them of what they didn’t fight for.
So if you’re trying to stand out, just know—criticism is part of the journey. It doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. It usually means you’re doing something most people are too scared to try.
Keep going. They’ll doubt you, then they’ll watch you, and later they’ll ask how you made it.
