How can I stop myself from worrying about how other people think of me?

Question

So here's the case...
I've always been known to be smart by the people at my school since I always get really high marks for a lot of things. I really hate this reputation nowadays since it's always stopping me from asking anyone for clarification whenever I'm uncertain of the things that are being taught. Like there are times when I get really stuck on a certain question but I never go out of my way to ask people for help since I'm scared that they're going to think that I'm stupid (this actually happened when I was in grade 4) I really wish they didn't know about my past marks since they're expecting a lot from me... or maybe I'm just being too self-conscious. Like I just want to ask people whenever I'm stuck... but I can't... and I really hate myself for that... Like so many of them tell me I'm smart, and say that I know everything... but deep inside I know I don't... So how do I stop myself from worrying so much about how others think of me?

Answer 1

I agree, no one knows everything. In Plato's Apology, Socrates says that if he is the wisest man it is because he knows that he is not. I also was one of those students who was smart and didn't want to ask when I didn't know something for fear of looking unintelligent. Usually my questions were asked by other people and I got away with it. In college, I found that I couldn't do that and the truth is asking questions can make you look smarter. By asking questions, you show you are paying attention and may be catching details that no one else is. Teachers like that. I have found an attitude that helps to not care what other people think. I believe that no one is better or smarter than anyone else, but just had different lives with different experiences. Different, not better. So we are all on equal grounds. You can judge me, but who are you to do so? Does your opinion really matter to me?
Compared to the age and size of our universe, what we do in the grand scheme of things is unimportant. The world will keep turning, galaxies will be born, and stars will die. Life goes on. And even in smaller terms, will you or anyone remember that one time you asked the question five years from now? That one helps the most. When I say or do something I wish I hadn't, I ask myself who will care five years from now. Most of the time, the answer is no one and I am able to forget about it, perhaps learn a lesson, and move on.

Answer 2

Not knowing something does not make a person "bad"; instead, being truthful about what a person understands and does not understand is one of the pillars of true knowledge. As all living people are born with imperfections, everyone strives to achieve success; but perfection in all areas is absolutely impossible. And trying to be perfect eventually causes harm to a person's mental and emotional well-being. Eventually, the perfectionist has to realize that some goals in life are unattainable, and that it is o.k. to fail sometimes.

This goes hand-in-hand with the idea of asking questions, especially in a classroom environment. Just think about it this way: if you are stuck on a particular problem, and you are an intelligent person, just think about how many other people are stuck on the same question and are also afraid to ask for help. It takes a brave person to do what is right and go against what the rest of the world thinks, and being brave is not easy - - in fact, if bravery were an easy behavior to adopt, it would not be considered such an admirable trait.

And when all else fails, "Don't worry . . . Be Happy!"

Answer 3

Nobody in this world is perfect; therefore, not one person out there knows everything. We all have our strengths and weaknesses - they're what makes us humans. One of your more better strengths is your intellect and that's great. Part of being smart is asking questions as well, taking things further than just the outer layer. I was asking myself this question the other day: "Back in the day, there was theology and the belief that divine powers controlled everything that happened on Earth; next, we moved towards science, common sense, and theories to explain these phenomenons; but what comes after science? Is there another sort of 'explanation' or type of study that can explain the unexplainable (such as the creation of this universe)?" You won't get anywhere in life just sitting there and take things for granted.

You cannot know everything out there; to store all of that information in one human brain would be to ask the average person to start flying to the moon with nothing but the shirt on his or her back. It just won't happen under normal circumstances.

There's no need for you to be so self-conscious about yourself. Don't let other people categorize who YOU are, because this is YOUR life, not their's. Ten years from now, down the road in life, people aren't going to remember the questions you asked, whether they seemed unintelligent or not. They have their own life to worry about, and you should, too. None of this is going to matter, despite what you think. Don't be afraid to do anything, especially if it's the minds and opinions of others that are holding you back.

As Plato once said: "Opinion is the medium between knowledge and ignorance."

Hope this helped a bit.

Answer 4

Believe it or not but same with me with the only exception my marks were not so high but still. If somebody tells you're smart do not take it for granted because there's always much to get to know and you cannot know everything. You've got to think about yourself about your improving not that smb. tells you're smart. Do not take notice of it. It's just a flattery. You've just to concentrate on what you want from life and what you want to achieve in life and then step by step to fulfill your goal. If you will think or take close to your heart what other people say you will never succeed because your purpose only metters! Good luck!

Answer 5

First off, dont feel so nerdy about your self, cuz if u do then other people will think that you r nerdy and the smartest person. Then once you go back to school again try asking questions that you really need to ask. Cuz i have been in that position on elemtary school. They thought of me as the smartest person (since they're all dum) and i had that rep and when i moved to middle school i layed it off and started being cool not a nerd. And dont worry on how people will think of u, think about ur self of what u'll look like if be a nerd with friken geeky ssweaters. LOL

Answer 6

You fear in view that of your ideas. If you inform your self to not fear you're simplest looking to nullify ideas with different ideas. Read approximately mindfulness and begin working towards meditation. That isn't in clash with any faith. It is just a option to discover peace of brain and finish the entire ache brought on by way of our ideas. The intention is to reside the reward second absolutely, and quit considering the beyond or the long run, which simplest exist in our minds.

Answer 7

listen the option of living by what people say will completely take you down the path of pop culture whcih many times is wrong, I'll tell you right now. You follow what everybody, I mean any old person you see says then you'll end up like britteny spears who's now bald and her babies hang out the car window. If you follow what only what a true, honest friend's opinion is you'll go far. Trust me and listen to your friends.

Answer 8

Realize that no one knows everything...and no one ever will.

So therefore YOU are never going to know everything, which makes it very okay for you to ask all the questions you need to.