So many opinions! So many people with them! Sorting the signal from the noise, especially in the “well, I’m just saying” space is both a chore and an artform. As a lady-person who has been posting things on the internet for years and years, whoo-boy, do I have some hacks for parsing the stuff I get told. Some might call them coping mechanisms, I consider them survival tactics for a hostile world.
One rule to tie this whole thing together: Do not mind opinions that really do not matter.
Do not worry about the opinion if it originates from the pit of a troll’s soul.
I hate that I have to say this, but you don’t have to engage with ThrobbyMeat69 or any of their horror-spewing friends. If it creeps you out, block it out.
Do not worry about the opinion if it’s cult recruitment.“Bestie, I’ve got this great thing going and would love for you to be a part of changing this cray world, you know? It pays, but only in like, karma?” Nope. Not today. Not ever. Don’t feel bad when they’re mean about you not signing up for their mayhem.
Do not worry about the opinion if it’s intense, generic, and from a stranger.
Intense love, intense rage, intense support, lots of emojis? That’s a bot, not a person. Ignore it. Beep-boop!
Do not worry about the opinion if it’s said to obviously hurt you.
These people suck and I am sorry they are the way they are. The world is big and connected enough that even if this person is YOUR MOTHER or YOUR BOSS, just ignore it and move on with your entire life. Meanies die alone.
Do not worry about the opinion if it’s said out of jealousy.
Yikes. The worst is when somebody thinks they are competing with you while you didn’t even realize any kind of game was afoot. Block, ignore, and hope they can someday feel something like self-confidence. Don’t let their projection reflect badly on you.
Do not worry about the opinion if it’s said out of genuine ignorance.
Not everybody knows everything and its okay to let some stupid stuff go. Battling someone who just didn’t know any better is a fight nobody wins. Besides, somebody else will come along to “educate” to the original commenter soon enough, because if one thing is certain, it’s that nothing “wrong” on the internet will ever be allowed to stand. Everybody is always learning anyway.
Do not worry about the opinion if it’s just a slimy wad of regurgitated political talking points.
People who do not think for themselves do not deserve to have you think about them. And if they can’t sound smarter than a bot, block them like they are one.
Do not worry about the opinion if it’s said condescendingly.
If anyone tries to explain to you what you really meant, or should have thought, they need expensive therapy from a professional, not a free response from you. Bless their little rotten hearts.
Do not worry about the opinion if it’s from a known turd.
Oh, THAT GUY. Whatever. Don’t quote tweet or repost or respond to or in any other way give attention to these types. Attention is like sunlight to these people. Let them wither in darkness.
Do not worry about the opinion if it’s like, just an opinion, man.
Let people like stuff. Let people hate stuff. Let people be nitpicky about stuff. Especially your stuff. Just take it easy. You’ll live longer.