Stop Waiting for Approval

Here’s a fact: no matter what you do, people will judge you. If you’re overweight, some will label you lazy. If you’re muscular, they’ll assume you’re on steroids. If you’re wealthy, they’ll call you a scam artist. And if you’re broke? Well, then they’ll say you lack ambition. Welcome to the world of judgments—it’s a full-time gig for some people, and there’s no escaping it.

So, here’s the truth: if you’re waiting for everyone’s approval, you’ll be waiting your whole life. And if you’re waiting for all the voices to quiet down before you step up, you’re wasting time you’ll never get back. That hesitation? That’s the real thief here. It steals moments of freedom, and, worse, it keeps you from living your best life. Life is going to come at you, but you have a choice to live on your own terms.

This same rule applies to recovery. People will question your decisions. Some will want you to fail; others will secretly hope you do. They’ll label you as "the addict" or “the one with issues” even when you’re doing everything to change. But you can’t let that get in your head. Don’t shrink yourself down to fit their outdated story of you. That story is dead weight; let it go.

Here’s the thing, though—if you can’t be bold enough to pursue what’s truly yours, then you’re letting the world keep you in a box. Every label people throw at you becomes a brick in that box if you don’t challenge it. And you know what’s even better than proving them wrong? It’s living in a way that makes their judgments irrelevant to you. When you embrace your own choices, you don’t just survive—you SUCCEED. You reclaim your power.

The moment you stop caring about what people think, you unlock the freedom to be yourself. Real recovery isn’t just about avoiding relapse; it’s about building a life worth living. A life filled with the things you want to do, not what others expect of you. So get out there. Make moves that matter. Your purpose, your calling, your passions? They’re waiting for you to show up fully.

Ready to break free from the judgment trap? At Holding Doors, we get it, and we’ve got your back. If you’re serious about building a life on your own terms, let’s talk. Go to holdingdoors.com to schedule a call and see how we can support your journey to real, lasting change. Don’t just stand there—step up, take action, and start living.