Stop Judging, Start Living: How to Chill Out and Enjoy Life

Stop Judging, Start Living: How to Chill Out and Enjoy Life



Let’s face it, life’s too short to spend it stressing about the future, dwelling on the past, or giving side-eye to people who double-park. Yet here we are—scrolling on our phones, overthinking that embarrassing thing we said in 2007, and silently judging the person in front of us at the grocery store for buying eight kinds of cheese. (Okay, fine, maybe we’re just jealous.)

But what if we flipped the script? What if we learned to actually live in the moment and stopped giving so many free passes to judgment-ville? Spoiler alert: It could make life a whole lot better—for you and the people stuck behind you in traffic.


Living in the Moment: Why It’s Basically a Superpower

Here’s the thing about living in the moment—it’s the only moment you’ve got. The past? Gone. The future? Not here yet. Right now? It’s happening, baby. But we spend so much time mentally elsewhere that we miss the good stuff—like the smell of fresh coffee, your dog doing something hilarious, or that rare moment when every traffic light turns green.


Want to be more present? Try this:

Stop multitasking. No, you don’t need to check emails while watching Netflix. (We see you.)

Pay attention. Seriously, stop and smell the roses—or at least notice your neighbor’s new haircut.

Accept imperfection. The moment might not be perfect, but neither are you, so… fair’s fair.


Judging Others: Why It’s Not a Good Look

Let’s be real—judging others can be weirdly satisfying. (Who does wear Crocs to a fancy restaurant?) But here’s the kicker: it doesn’t do you any good. It doesn’t make you smarter, funnier, or better-looking—it just makes you kind of annoying.

When you judge someone, you’re usually working with half the story. That guy singing loudly on the bus? Maybe he just got promoted. The mom handing her kid a cookie for breakfast? She probably hasn’t slept in three years. Instead of judging, try this radical idea: mind your own business.

Better yet, try some empathy:

Pause. Before you roll your eyes, ask yourself, “Do I really know what’s going on here?”

Think of your own quirks. You’ve done some weird stuff too, right? (Don’t lie.)

Imagine their backstory. Pretend they’re the hero of their own Netflix series.


Why the Two Go Together Like Peanut Butter and Jelly

Here’s the magic: when you live in the moment, you’re too busy enjoying life to judge people. You’re savoring your latte, not mentally critiquing the barista’s haircut. You’re laughing at a friend’s joke, not worrying if they’ll text you back next week.

And when you stop judging others, you free yourself up to live more fully. Why? Because judging is exhausting. It’s like carrying around a backpack full of bricks labeled “opinions no one asked for.” Let it go, and suddenly life feels lighter.


Real Talk: Life Is Messy—And That’s Okay

Life’s not perfect. People aren’t perfect. You’re not perfect. (I know, shocking.) But when you stop expecting everything to be Insta-worthy, you start noticing how wonderful it already is.

So here’s the deal:

Laugh at your mistakes. You’re going to make a lot of them.

Forgive people for theirs. They’re doing their best—or at least trying not to get caught.

Be kind, be curious, and don’t take yourself too seriously.


The Takeaway

At the end of the day, life is a collection of moments—some amazing, some awkward, and some where you’re just trying to remember where you parked. Don’t waste them worrying, judging, or holding grudges. Instead, show up, chill out, and enjoy the ride.

And the next time someone buys eight kinds of cheese? Give them a high-five. They’re living their best life—and so should you.


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