Live Like the Honey Badger: Principle 1

This is the first in a series of posts entitled, Live Like the Honey Badger. Each week, I will address one aspect of developing confidence, self-worth, a fearless nature and the like.

Principle 1: Honey Badger Don't Care

The honey badger does what he wants, when he wants, without regard for what will be thought of him. Simply, he is not controlled by external forces, like many of us.

Think about it. When was the last time you second guessed what your wore, how you styled your hair or whether or not you should make an attempt at greatness based on how you thought others might perceive you?

Be honest. It was probably recently.

We live in a society where we are judged by our peers and unfortunately, ourselves, for just about everything. All too often, we view the often unattainable images seen in the media and throughout popular culture as perfection. We try to live up to standards that can't and perhaps, shouldn't, be reached. And if you are constantly striving to be what others want you to be, somewhere along the way, you are going to lose who you are. Don't do it.

• Don't live for someone else's happiness in sake of your own.
• Don't hold your true self back just because others might show negativity towards your choices.
• Don't change who you are or who you want to be because you are afraid that those around you won't support you.

The people who love you are going to love you regardless of whether or not they agree with how you choose to express yourself. That's what support systems do. They support. And if you are constantly faced with opposition for your life choices, perhaps it's time to reevaluate who you surround yourself with. 

I know it's not easy to look past the judgements and I know it's not easy to put yourself out there, but believing that you have the right to live your life as you see fit and believing that you have value will make it easier.

Sure, you will face negativity. Haters are going to hate. But their reaction to you, probably has less to do with you and the way you choose to live your life than you think. I have often found that when people negatively judge your choices, it's not because of the choice, but rather how they think the choice with affect THEM.

• Perhaps you make them uncomfortable. 
• Perhaps you make them question how they have been living.
• Perhaps your choices scare them.
• Perhaps they fear that what you do will somehow be used in another person's judgement of them.

One thing rings true in all of these scenarios - IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU. It's all about them. And you can't let "them" be in charge of who you are.

Realizing this is the first step to living like the honey badger. If you give yourself permission to be exactly who you want to be, regardless of who likes it, you'll build a strong foundation for self-worth and confidence. You won't be dictated by external forces. And each day, you'll get one step closer to being the best version of yourself.

The honey badger don't care. And you don't need to either.