By Ava Sinclair
We all have moments, decisions, or preferences that we keep to ourselves, buried under layers of social niceties and expectations.
You might find yourself constantly justifying your choices or feelings, unsure if it’s normal to guard certain aspects of your life so fiercely.
However, psychology tells us that there are certain things we simply don’t owe anyone an explanation for. It’s important to remember that you have the right to keep some things to yourself.
Here are 10 things that you shouldn’t feel compelled to explain to others, according to psychology.
1) Your past
In a world obsessed with background checks and social media stalking, it’s easy to feel like you owe people an explanation for your past. But here’s the truth: You don’t.
Everyone has a history, a storyline that has shaped us into who we are today. This past may be filled with triumphs, failures, joy, and pain. But it’s your story.
Your past is yours alone.You don’t owe anyone an explanation for the chapters in your past. You’re not obligated to share your life history or justify the decisions you made then.
After all, those decisions and experiences have contributed to your growth and have made you who you are today.
However, if you choose to divulge your past, do it because it feels right for you, not because you feel pressured or compelled to. Remember, it’s your past and you’re in control of it.
2) Your career path
In a world that often puts a premium on conventional success, marching to the beat of your own drum can be daunting.
You might have faced puzzled looks or outright criticism when you shared your unconventional career aspirations. The pressure to conform to traditional career paths can be intense, leading you to constantly defend your choices.
But remember this – you don’t owe anyone an explanation for your career decisions. Your job doesn’t have to fit into a neat little box for it to be valid or fulfilling. As long as your work aligns with your passion and values, it’s worth pursuing.
If you’re blazing your own trail in the professional world, know that it’s okay to defy expectations. Your career path is yours to navigate, and your success is yours to define.
3) Your dietary preferences
I remember when I switched to a plant-based diet. The questions and judgements came flooding in. “Where will you get your protein?” “Isn’t it too restrictive?” “Are you sure it’s healthy?”
Here’s the deal: Your dietary preferences and choices are yours to make. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for why you choose to eat (or not eat) certain foods.
Whether you’re a vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, or meat-lover, your dietary preference’s your choice. You don’t have to justify your eating habits to anyone as long as they serve you and align with your health goals.
So if you’ve chosen to exclude certain food groups from your diet for ethical, health, or personal reasons, you don’t owe anyone an explanation.
Eating is a personal experience and should be enjoyable, not stressful or guilt-inducing. Remember, it’s your plate and you have the right to decide what goes on it.
4) Your relationship status
Whether you’re single, in a relationship, married, or navigating the complex world of dating, your relationship status is your business.
Society often puts unnecessary pressure on individuals to fit into certain relationship molds. But remember, there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ when it comes to relationships. Every person’s journey is unique.
If you’re single and loving it, you don’t owe anyone an explanation. If you’re in a relationship and happy, you don’t need to justify why you chose your partner. If you’re married and content, there’s no need to explain why you chose to tie the knot.
Your relationship status doesn’t define your worth or happiness. So feel free to live your love life (or enjoy your single life) in a way that feels right for you.
5) Your grief
Grief is one of the most personal experiences one can go through. It’s unique to every individual and comes in many forms: the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship, a missed opportunity.
In times of grief, you might find people trying to dissect your pain, asking why it’s taking you ‘so long’ to move on or why you’re still ‘stuck’ in your sorrow.
But here’s the thing: your grief is your own. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for how you grieve or how long it takes you to heal.
Healing is not a linear process, and everyone copes differently. You have every right to feel your feelings without justification or guilt.
So take all the time you need. Feel your feelings, lean into your grief, and heal at your own pace. Your emotions are valid, and no one else has the right to dictate how you should navigate through them.
To be continued
