You Do You.

Why do we care so much about how others live their lives? 

𝒷𝓎 Laura Groulx, BEd, MSW, RSW

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Just because I’m a therapist does NOT mean I have all the answers. In fact, seeing it time and time again just means that I have even more questions about it. So in the interest of supporting others to live their best lives, myself included, I offer the following responses:

Why does someone else’s race, ethnicity, beliefs, age, sexual orientation, or religion offend you?
It’s their lives, not yours. There’s them, and there’s you. You do you.

Why do people think the choices they made for their lives (e.g. attending University, having children) are the right choices for another person’s life, and feel the need to project that on them?
Life has so many options. You do You.
 
Why so much judgement and criticism against another person’s decisions (e.g. going on vacation, career choice, moving, how someone spends their money, who they spend their time with)?
Different things make different people tick. You do You.

Why do people bond over gossiping about another person’s problems?
You have problems too, and gossiping makes you untrustworthy. You do You.

Why do mothers shame other mothers for their parenting choices?
It’s their babies. You do you.

Why do people believe that their way of handling something (e.g. pet training, cleaning, relationships) is better than someone else’s?
Your way isn’t the only way, so why be so close minded? You do you.

Why do people feel the need to give advice to someone who isn’t asking for it?
Straight up - You do You.

Why does a person believe that their sense of taste or style is better than someone else’s?
If it’s different than yours, it doesn’t mean it’s better or worse, it’s just different. You do you.

Why does the number/degree of someone else’s achievements, or lack thereof, matter?
Comparing yourself to others does not make you any better or worse of a person. You do you.

Why do people share oppositional opinions about someone’s difficult life choices (e.g. termination of pregnancy, divorce), when they have not had to make that choice themselves, and truly have no idea what was involved?
You do you.

Why so nosy (well I’m allowed to be, during working hours at least!)?
You can ask but don’t push. Be respectful. You do you.

Why do people feel that they know what is best for another person? Even if they do, and they’re right - know your audience, and only share if it’s appropriate.
One last time for the people in the back...

YOU
DO
​YOU.