TO MIND ONESELF
ADVICE NO. 1 OUT OF 100 (APRIL 24, 2026)
“One need not mind what others think you are, but to keep one’s thoughts to oneself and do as one wishes — that is what is essential.”
Harsh — that’s what most of us who step on this Earth are. Yes, sometimes to those around us, but silently, most of all to ourselves. Have you ever done something without hesitating for a second? How many times have you done something without thinking of what someone would think? You probably have, and have likely forgotten when the last time even was — I bet you could only count a few.
Throughout our lives, we cannot help but do so, for this is only natural. We are humans; we think — not only for ourselves, but about everything that surrounds us. However, there are times we tend to focus more on others than what really matters: us.
It brings a question to one’s existence — are your thoughts even your own anymore?
There is a saying — ‘Imitation is suicide’ — originally emphasized by Ralph Waldo Emerson. He believed that we ought only to rely on ourselves and trust our intuition. Intuition on its own is intrinsic, a sense sharpened by one’s beliefs, experiences, and sole being.
This is precisely what makes it dangerous. Other people’s opinions, in the worst cases, consume our minds to the point we lose sanity, sensibility, and the capability to appreciate our own thoughts — our very own core. Even in lesser gravity, thinking too much of how we are viewed makes us lose sight of what we ought to know.
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And it is self betray — being someone you are not. Changing a part of you because someone said otherwise is like stabbing, slicing, mincing piece by piece of what made you, you.
It is also said that people are born to live, but most choose to survive the standards society has placed on each and every one’s shoulders. How can you ever deal with that — when by 10 years of age, the majority just wanted to grow up faster; in your 20s you’re in the middle of a crisis over whether you chose the right path; by your 40s you can no longer rewrite the story; and before you know it, you’ve hit retirement with nothing left to do but look back at the years you’ve spent.
If one had lived their life built upon other people’s opinions — trying to conform to what they think you should be — a regretful life is sure to follow until it’s finally time to leave.
And so, you should always live a life written by what you truly want — a life that fulfills every inch of your heart, so that when you lay in bed at the end of the day, all you can think about is living every single moment over and over again, and never needing to rewrite a single part of the story.
An important note to take is that change is not bad — it is simply a sign of adaptation, and it is our nature to rise to challenges, whether from our environment or from within us.
Do not let others define every corner of your existence. Rather, evaluate whether their words are relevant to begin with, reflect on what is worth your attention, and mind yourself — be aware of what you do. You may do whatever you want, but not all will be pleased.
They can think what they will. But not all of it should sink deep into your mind and stay there so long that it drowns you.
- orpheus
