It’s Not Always About You

Let that sink in, not everything is about you.

And I don’t mean that in a harsh or dismissive way. I mean it in a freeing way.

When someone is frustrated, critical, or impatient, it’s easy to assume we did something wrong. We take it personally and replay conversations in our heads. We start building a whole story around why we must be the problem, or we quickly go on the defensive.

Most of the time? It’s not about you.

People carry their own stress, fears, insecurities, and expectations into every interaction. Their reactions usually say more about what’s going on inside them than anything you did. A sharp comment could be coming from a bad day. A strong opinion might be rooted in their own worries. A moment of blame might really be someone struggling to manage their own emotions.

I want my kids to learn this early, because it’s a skill that saves a lot of unnecessary stress.
You don’t have to absorb everything that comes your way.

Being less offended doesn’t mean you don’t care. It means you’re able to pause and ask, “Is this really about me?” And sometimes, the most powerful answer is simply… no.

This also goes hand-in-hand with understanding that you don’t need to have an opinion on everything. Not every comment needs a response. Not every disagreement needs defending. It’s okay to let things pass without turning them into a personal battle or a “woe is me” moment.

There is real peace in learning to stay neutral and choosing not to engage. In realizing that silence, calm, and perspective are often stronger than reaction.

Adults struggle with this too, probably even more than kids. We live in a world that encourages outrage, comparison, and constant commentary. But the more we can step back and remember that most things aren’t personal, the lighter life feels.

So that’s the lesson I hope they carry with them:
Not everything needs to hurt your feelings.
Not everything deserves your energy.
And not everything is about you.

Sometimes, the healthiest thing you can do is take a breath, let it go, and keep moving forward, without making it bigger than it needs to be.

And honestly? Life gets a whole lot easier when you stop carrying things that were never yours to begin with.