I know we all say the same thing, "I don't care what anyone thinks about me." We declare it after we find out someone's been talking behind our backs, when we get into a fight with a friend, or when we are told we are wrong. This phrase tends to be used as a defense mechanism, but we all know that deep down inside, words do hurt and we do in fact care about what others think about us. Well, it's time that we stop.

In life, we are always going to encounter people who are out to get us. No matter if we are 16 or 65 years old, people can be driven by anger, envy, and other negative emotions that can alter their perceptions. People will always, always, always have something to say about you. Doesn't matter what the situation is, someone will have something to say something about it, and that's life. Whether we let the opinions of others influence and affect us is our responsibility.

Personally, I am a very impulsive person. If something upsets me, I am triggered almost instantly and you can bet that my defenses are up. That being said, this is something about me that I work on because I wouldn't necessarily consider it a good thing. When I get angry, I get super angry, which can lead me to saying things I shouldn't say, and things that I don't mean. I know other people are like this, and I think the main reason for this problem isn't our anger, but the fact that we take things to heart and care too much about what others think.

The truth is, no matter what age you are, where you live, and even how well off you are, people will talk. Negative people always have negative things to say, but you shouldn't let it get to you. There is a fine line between an opinion, and being rude, but you shouldn't take the fact that others cross it as an invitation to do the same.

Life is the longest thing we do, but it goes on in a flash. You wouldn't want to look back at your life and realize that you passed up multiple opportunities because you were afraid of what others think. Do what you like and say what you feel, because at the end of the day, it's your life, and the opinion of some snotty girl in your class doesn't matter, at all.