As we get older, our patience seems to decrease. My dad always says, “The older I get the happier I am because every year that I am alive my care level for what people think decreases.” So why can’t we just not care? Is it because we are not “old enough” to realize that is important to care?
Some people are able to live their life this way. However, for others, it is just in our nature to want to please everyone. I admit I am a people pleaser but as I get older, I am realizing that I can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world and there is still going to be someone who hates peaches. I have realized that some people are not going to be happy but that is not a reason to let their negativity ruin your happiness. That means you are letting them win and that is simply not an option.
So here are five reasons why these kinds of people just are not worth your precious time.
1. It is not you, it is them.
They are not unhappy with you, they are unhappy with themselves. I would not take the fake compliments or negatives remarks to your happy news personally. Put yourself in their shoes and then you will realize you are even happier because you are not need to act the way they do.
2. Jealousy is an ugly, green-eyed monster.
People who are not happy do not want to hear about good things happening to people. We need to remember that jealousy is ugly and to not take it personally when the unhappy person finds any answer possible to make sure you second-guess every decision you make. You are getting married: “Well I bet he is ugly.” You went to the gym and you are bettering yourself: “Well that is not going to help you overnight.” You got an amazing job offer: “You are probably going to hate it because I they read somewhere that the company that just hired you is terrible.” You ate a really good cupcake today: “Wait, that is good because that means you are getting fat.”
3. It is time to distinguish between opinions that matter and opinions that do not.
People who are not happy do not want to hear about good things happening to people. They will find any answer possible to make sure you second-guess every decision you make. You are getting married: “Well I bet he is ugly.” You went to the gym and you are bettering yourself: “Well that is not going to help you overnight.” You got an amazing job offer: “You are probably going to hate it because I they read somewhere that the company that just hired you is terrible.” You ate a really good cupcake today: “Wait, that is good because that means you are getting fat while I continue to be bitter.”
4. Do not let other people take away from you light.
You got an A on that exam? You got an awesome job offer? You kicked butt today at your soccer game? In this “everyone gets a trophy generation,” do not let haters take away from your shining moments. This is life. There are winners and there are losers. Be humble. But never let anyone dull your sparkle. Hard work and dedication should be appreciated and soon these unhappy campers will realize that blowing out someone else’s candle is not making theirs any brighter.
5. It is time to believe in YOLO (you only live once).
It is true, you only live once. Life is short. As basic and cliché as it sounds, Drake is right. Why would you want to spend your life pleasing an unhappy person when you can please yourself and find support in people that truly do love you?
In the end, I feel sorry for anyone who cannot be happy for another person. But I feel much worse for the people dealing with these negative people in their life. So let’s ban together happy people and create a world where instead of trying to burn out people’s lights, we are trying to light up more souls. I am not sure what that world would look like but I sure know it would be a much happier place.