When did you realize that others opinions of you are essentially meaningless?

Question:When I read this:
"People do not see you as you are,
They see you as they are."
Anais Nin

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: When I read this:
"People do not see you as you are,
They see you as they are."
Anais Nin

when they are told by people who are immature, stupid, and sad to say, meaningless

About 15 years ago.

I have never thought that. I think we are all impacted by what others think of us. If we are jerks, good people will shun us, and if we are decent, then jerks will shun us, so there's no free ride. But it matters who respects us and who doesn't. I think when we tell ourselves it doesn't matter we're "kidding ourselves" to put it gently.

Actually if they are meaningful in the sense of being true and factual, and I wouldn't have anyone do that to me, then I owe it to them to not do it to them.

Reciprocity RULES! (we all expect it and demand it)

I wish that were true. I've always felt different than how other people perceive me, but it's never mattered. Unfortunately, my survival depends on everyone else.

When all my family and friends criticized me for being pregnant at 17, and tried to pressure me into adoption/abortion. I realized that only I knew what was right for me, and only I knew what path I should take. Since that time, I have turned my life around, my son is doing wonderful, and I am doing wonderful as well. I am so glad I realized it at that point in time...

It's a great feeling when you finally understand what is important in life and what should be taken with a grain of salt.

This is interesting...that is what this website is all about. The opinions of other people and look how much this website has grown. So apparently as Y answers illustrates, other people's opinions do, in fact, matter quite a great deal to us and to you, since you posed the question.

still working on it..but i've come along way :)

im 45, and it used to control my decisions. i think it all starts with peer presure. im still working on it, but have made much progress. i will say that it's really tuff though. i always feel like im offending them or more than that, they arent used to me making my own choices. im learning to speak more assertive rather than aggressive. im finding out that the people that get offended are the ones that dont take their own advise. depending on the opinions given help me determine my decisions. some people are worth listening to. (but all and all, i find it nice to be objective and listen. but in the end, it feels good to make my own choices, wheather they be right or wrong. It's a learning experience. ruthie good question, my friend

I think about 9th grade.
I suppose it's normal for all of us to care what other's think. But my opinion comes first. And as long as I'm happy with myself, why should i care for the opinions of others?

When I achieved self-confidence.

when i believed in myself

When I hear them...