Don't let other people define you

Don't allow other people to define you. You define yourself.

Your value doesn't depend on others' perception or opinion of you. Your value doesn't decrease based on someone's inability to see your worth.

People will judge you no matter what you say or do; they will always find something to criticize about you. Even if you've done countless nice things for them, they have no qualms about dredging up the one time you made a mistake or displeased them. Unfortunately, if you allow other people to define you, you'll likely be defined by your shortcomings rather than your best qualities.

People are entitled to their own opinions about you, but they're certainly not entitled to their own facts about you.

You're the gatekeeper to your own happiness. Never relinquish that role to anyone else. Never give people the power to dictate whether you smile or frown, stand or fall, move forward or recoil.

Embrace your uniqueness -- all that makes you different from your peers. If others' definition of you doesn't quite jibe with reality, never change to just appease them. Instead, give them a clear, unequivocal definition of yourself if you wish, then carry on proudly.

It's critical that we take the time to define ourselves in a realistic, no-nonsense way, and that we remain vigilant of others' efforts to define us in their own terms or in relation to what they want us to be. People may categorize us -- deeming us weak, nerdy, dull, or cheap -- but only you know whether such attributions are accurate or off base.

Never apologize for being you. No one knows you better than you know yourself. You're your own best critic, just as you are your own best friend.

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