I'm Listening—But I'm Also Learning to Trust Myself

This morning, I woke up feeling a little worn down—not physically, but mentally. Lately, I’ve been surrounded by a lot of opinions. Some come from close friends. Some from family. Others from people who don’t know me well at all. And to be clear, I appreciate the intention behind most of it. Many are just trying to help, offering their thoughts because they care. I hear that.

But hearing so many voices about what I should or shouldn’t be doing—what I’m getting wrong or getting right—can get overwhelming. Especially when it feels constant.

I want to be clear: this isn’t about anyone in particular. It’s just something I’ve noticed building up over time. Everyone has advice, suggestions, or a perspective. And while I genuinely listen to a lot of it (and even agree with some of it), I’m realizing something important:

At the end of the day, I have to make my own decisions. And I’m okay with that.

I Know I’m Not Perfect—But Neither Is Anyone Else

The truth is, I’m aware of what I’m doing right and wrong. I reflect. I question myself. I’ve made good calls, and I’ve made mistakes. But so has everyone else. We’re all figuring this out as we go. Life doesn’t come with a map—and even if it did, everyone’s route would still look different.

So when people say, “I’m just looking out for you,” I get it. I appreciate it. But it’s also okay for me to say: *I’ve got this.*

There’s a Difference Between Support and Control

This isn’t to say you shouldn’t listen to professionals, mentors, or people with experience. There’s a big difference between wise counsel and unsolicited control. Good advice comes with humility. It’s shared—not forced. And it usually shows up with empathy, not judgment.

I’ve learned to value that kind of advice. I take it seriously. But I’ve also learned that trusting myself is part of growing—not being stubborn, just being responsible for my own life.

I’m Still Learning, and That’s the Point

The truth is, I’m still in the middle of figuring a lot out. And I probably always will be. That’s what growth looks like—trying, failing, learning, adjusting. Whether it’s in my career, my personal goals, or the way I show up every day, I want to own my journey, not be defined by someone else’s expectations.

So if you’re reading this and you’ve been feeling the same way—torn between being grateful for advice and tired of constantly defending your choices—you’re not alone.

Keep listening. Keep learning. But don’t forget to trust yourself, too.