If I had no fear of judgement, I would write and act in short films. It's always been something that I've wanted to do, but I'm so scared about the ridicule I may get at school. I've seen it happen before to one of my best friends who made YouTube Vlogs, and despite me and others trying to stick up for him, he ended up having to leave the school because of it. I'm so scared that would happen to me, I haven't attempted to write any yet. :(

You'll never know unless you try. If you really really want to write or act, nothing should stop you and the people will see how this is your passion. I'm sure you have friends in your life to support you. Believe in yourself and follow your dreams.

I know exactly what you mean! I have loads of ideas for scripts and things, but if I show them to my friends they won't take me seriously and just think I'm weird(er). I am just gonna start thinking: Who cares what they think? If they can't except me for who I am then fine! But it is best to do what you are comfortable with- if you wanna act, then you act!! =)

Thank-you all so much! It's really reassuring to know that I have people I can talk to about this stuff, who will support me and understand what I want to do and why! You guys are all amazing! :D

I'm glad you've come out to us! And even though I have no idea who you are, I want you know that I love you very very much, and I wish you all the luck and happy things that life will be bringing your way. <3

I know what you mean about the fear of being judged. Recently I have been getting into homemade remedies and beauty treatments, but I hesitate even telling my best friend about it because she looks at me weird when I wash my face with raw honey (best stuff I have ever used, btw). Just one example of so many.

The thing is, there is always at least one person who will judge you for just about anything you do. Like the poem above says, do it anyway. =) I think humanity as a whole has become greatly crippled by our fear of judgement. Perhaps the first step to ending that fear is to learn, ourselves, not to judge? I know that, for myself, that will be a tough habit to break.

So glow* on, darlin'. ;)

I'm glad, lovely! We're always here.

Beautifully put, Jaime. You give me a lot of hope. Thank you.

Psh, sing. If you like to do it, do it. I mean not everyone is the best at everything. What's important is that you love doing it. Even if everyone hears it, who's to say they're any better? It just shows that you're ruthless enough to do what you love and not care what other people think.

Go for it! Dance and sing not for others, but for yourself love :)

If I wasn't afraid of judgement,I would be confidemt and fun and myself around everybody. I am a very loud and fun person, but a lot of times I am quiet around certain people because I care what they think. But I just need to be myself. If they like me, great. If they dont, oh well. They arent the people,in this world I can be friends with. Their are other apples on the tree( oh gosh that was bad).

CONGRATULATIONS on losing 20 pounds! What a huge accomplishment. I was ten pounds overweight two years ago and a terrible runner. But one day I decided to go for it and start running and it was the best decision of my life. I can run over five miles now when before I could barely run one, and I lost thirty pounds. I cannot stress this enough--go for it. You will be so happy you did! People won't judge you--they'll be inspired by your commitment :) I speak from experience!

I think people will always judge you. I will always judge myself. And it is a good thing - at least to some extent. It can be a motivation to do something we are afraid of and then we can surprise ourselves how well we actually do.

The thing is that people judge too fast and without any reason. They say someone sucks without even knowing the person. They don't know their story. I think prejudice is one reason for it but also a kind of self protection. In saying that somebody is an idiot they want to make themselves feel better because it means that someone is worse than they are.

But we shouldn't care. Sometimes we just have to make our mind rest and forget about all the judgement and do what feels right to do no matter what.

I'm glad that I get the chance to do so this semester. Next week I'll start my 5-month-long training semester at a grammar school. Since I am still a student and not a teacher nobody can really tell me to leave the school or to wear this and that or to say this. So I am free to try things. Of course, I have to teach and I want to guarantee a good learning for the students but I am free when it comes to methods and stuff like that.

So I really want to try things that I wouldn't do in different situations because these things will probably make me grow so much as a person.

Of course people are gonna judge me and it might hurt but it also makes me grow as a person.

So go for the things you want to do guys. Go for it and grow and glow*.

You are the only one who can really change your life - so don't listen if somebody tells you that what you are doing is stupid. As long as it feels right for YOU everything is perfect.

Without fear of judgment, I would do what I have always secretly never had the heart to do but never believes I had the time, talent, stamina, or drive to do- write a musical...maybe even perform in it!

I would also be so bold as to ask out the hot male nurse in the hospital I work at, but for now I think I'm gonna hold on that one. ;)

Write the musical! Even if the first, second, third.. draft doesn't seem good... Keep writing! You might inspire someone else with your musical and that will make it all worth it :)

And perform in it!

Also, what Ashley said. x

You are a wonderful inspiration, Kristina :)

Challenge accepted, Jaime :) I'm excited to see what I can accomplish today through generosity and compassion.

There is so much that I could accomplish if I had no fear of judgement. I overthink and second guess myself constantly, which can prevent me from speaking up or letting my true personality show. I definitely wouldn't be as shy as I am if I wasn't afraid of being judged. The first part of Jaime's post really intrigued me, and it all made a lot of sense. It is a great way of thinking, and are definitely things I will remember. If there is no fear of judgement, the possibilities of what you can do are endless.

I'm ready to start my day with this in mind! Thanks to glow* and Jaime <3

StarKid friends are the best kind of friends, aren't they? We're all in the same boat and we get to know each other over a completely different platform - the Internet. So we're anonymous in the beginning and we really can share what we think and who we are and then we find people who think exactly like us and we can be more open and become closer and closer. That's what I love about StarKid. No judgement, just love...

Wow, I loved this post. It really hit home because I actually think of this all the time. We're all SO afraid to do something in fear of what other people think. We're afraid to wear what we want, or speak our minds because of other people's judgement. It shouldn't be that way. Why are we so afraid and what exactly are we afraid of? More importantly why do we care in the first place?

Exactly. Everything you said. We allow people to mold and change who we are. Sometimes we don't even realize it! The worst part is that we wonder why we're not completely satisfied with the person we are. Maybe because we LIKED the way we were before when we were just kids and didn't care. We LIKED being who we wanted to be without fear...it's just really unfortunate that we all allow this to happen so often.

I know exactly what you mean. It is as if it is engrained in our minds to care what others think. It is a craving for acceptance, and a fear that you may not fit into that mold. When reality is, no one fits into a single mold. Everyone has quirks, everyone has flaws, some just tell a more convincing story about how normal they are. Now that I think about it...
Why don't people try and be abnormal? To try and be original? Not to beat out others for greatness, but to add a new dimension to normal? And to broaden the criteria of what is accepted?

Wow this is perfect because I have a HUGE fear of judgement. I rarely talk to people and act myself around people for fear of judgement. I stopped acting in high school and getting on stage for fear of judgement (which there was plently of that where getting on stage is concerned) I've always wanted to just be myself and do what I want without getting scared of what others would say. I just for some reason can't. I'm not a very confident person. But if I didn't have fear of judgement. Well I'd be a very accomplished person I think. I'd probably be in college studying Performance Theatre right now cuz I'd have a scholarship from staying in Drama all four years of high school. I'm also probably have more friends. Or maybe not cuz I'm kindda (really) weird? lol I'd have a job and be driving around in a car/truck. I just can't help myself though... Sometimes I feel like I just can't NOT fear judgement... It's something I've always had a problem with.

Hahahah the awkward fact that I do this anyway...ask any of my friends. Sorry, had to add that.

If I had no fear of judgment I would probably be able to do anything I wanted to. It is the fear of judgement and criticism that holds us back from our true potential and the lack of that would open a whole new galaxy.

Write your novel!! Wait until November, do the NaNoWriMo, and I'd be absolutely thrilled to read it! Always keep writing. Always always. <3

the moment I saw the picture I got so excited. Ever since my teacher read Tje Giving Tree to my reading group, it had become one of my all time favorite stories. It's message is priceless and the older I get, the more I learn to appreciate it.

I I was not afraid of judgement I wouldn't always appear as such a spaz. I wouldn't just be know as the small girl with a large voice. When I'm not with people, I spend a lot lf my time reflection on life and why things happen and how I could make a difference. A lot of the time I am to afraid to share these thoughts though. I'm afraid I would be taken as a joke.
I feel like most people will respond with, if I was not judged so much, I would completly crazy, but I'm the opposite. if I was not judged by my appearance or anything about be, I would be a quieter person. Often people underestimate me, so to make up for that, I am loud and I will admit, a little obnoxious at times.

Let me love you forever for that comment. Girl, you GLOW! So much!

Wow. First of all a really inspiring post. Every post on this site makes me think and smilecand feel stronger. Thank you for that lovely ladies! I think I usally manage to be generous and compassionate to othe people but I struggle with doing so for myself. I often settle for the second best thing. I doubt my own ability to reach higher than that. If there was no judgement Id trust people and actually let them know me. Not pull away when Im having a hard time and isolate myself. Not always say and do things to please people. However I only fear judgement from people I know or want to know. Also if there was no judgement I wouldnt trick myself into thinking Im destined to be alone. Because honestly everyonevdesrves there own awesome group of friends. Its probably just bad luck that Im 22 and havent found mine yet :-) go glow*!

Omg. All of this. Every single word I relate to but I can't exactly put it into words...

Be yourself, everyone else is taken (Oscar Wilde)

Sth bad happened at work these days, so I'm just bit confused who myself is. For this special case I hope the specially appointed team-supervision tomorrow will help.
As smaller events can be confusing too, I'm looking quite forward to our self-awareness courses and I plan to get into ACT by myself.

Being ruthlessly yourself is the best thing there is, but it's a constant search...

Exactly. This site always reminsd me that I'm not alone. There are more people out there that share my opininos. And on here, I'm not afraid. I'm completely fearless. Maybe some day I'll be able to transfer the confidence I have on here into the real world.

If I had not fear judgement and consequences, I'd have really awesome boyfriend now, and probably no friends at all. I'd be a writer, probably not a good one, but a very fond one. I'd take singing lessons and sing publicly.

Or, most likely, it's just my excuse and I am way too scared to try.

You have an amazing voice. I so I understand we can work together on this!

I wouldn't be afraid to dance in public. I work really hard at getting better at dancing, but when I was a little younger I was really bad. I think people expect me to be horrible because of that. If there was no judgement I would add dancing to my resume or at least my mental one! I would also laugh as loud as I want with out worrying about other people.

I thought of another thing. If there was no judgement I'd probably have a boyfriend. But I'm scared to be judged because I've never had one, which obviously leads to me not having the courage to get to know boys and eventually get myself a boyfriend. Its a self-fulfilling prophecy lol.

Brilliant! I'm totally in on this haha. We've got a deal :D

I feel exactly the same way. It's like how many times can I picture myself with a boyfriend before I actually have the courage to put myself out there and find someone.

I so understand. I feel the same way. I fortunately have an amazing best friend and we don't judge each other and sense we have gotten on this has grown stronger. It feels weird but you guys have all been my non judging family.

If I had no fear of judgement, I would definitely be more friendly. At my big public university, people tend to be unfriendly toward each other for no reason. Even though my natural inclination is to acknowledge every one I have ever met, many people will ignore me (even though I am relatively normal and easy to get along with) and other people because for some reason they feel like they are above saying hello to people they don't know well. I follow this nasty trend because the feeling of smiling at someone you went to high school with and them turning their heads kind of sucks.
I am also afraid to be friendly to people in my major (full of male introverts) because I am not the best conversationalist and neither are they so our conversations tend to be short ones about how much school sucks and how hard we have to work all the time. If I didn't fear judgement I would strike-up a non school related conversation with them and see where it goes!
also I would probably sing in public more even though I'm not very good haha
sheesh... I love glow*! it helps me sort out the minor problems that I face daily and think of ways to improve myself/ have a better outlook on life!

If I had no fear of judgement, I would sing more. I love to sing, but I have friends that constantly tell me I'm off key. That's what I would do.

If I had no fear of judgement, I would stop every single person in the hallway who looked like they were having a bad day and give them a hug. I know how much the little things can effect someone's entire day, and I see so many people walking in the hallways at school with their heads hung low. Also, if I could, I would bake enough cookies for my entire school and one to everyone. Again, another way to brighten someone else's day.

If I had no fear of judgement, I would openly tell people about my hopes and dreams. Sometimes I can be embarrassed to tell people about the things that I want to achieve, because they are unlikely to come true. But if I knew that no one would judge me for having crazy big dreams, I might not be so reluctant to tell them.

honestly i would not take him back. In the long run you really don't want to be with some one who you are afraid of. Love is the opposite of fear! I know its hard because being single is hard for a lot of people, but I'm sure you will find someone who really loves you! I hope this helps

Oh my gosh! I am crying right now! That song was so perfect! Thank you soo much!! <3 I really really really needed to hear that!! Favorited that song and posting it to my facebook and twitter right now so that all my friends can hear that message! This website is seriously a wonderful thing! Thank you Denise, Jaime, Julia, and Lauren for creating such a beautiful place. That song just gave me so much strength and really set my mind. "Cages or wings! Which do you prefer? Just ask the birds." wow. Thank you again, Sarah!! You don't know how much this support means right now.

This decision is hard. It'll always be hard, no matter how many times you have to make it. But, I have to agree with Sarah - never EVER be with anyone you're afraid of.

Ever.

Exes are exes for a reason. If you, honest to goodness, think the two of you deserve a second shot, then go for it. But, if your head and everyone you love are telling you the opposite, just make sure you think about it. We only want what's best for you. Love you!! Keep on glow*in'!

Thank you both for your support! Wow I am definitely feeling the love and I will always keep Glow*ing! I am going to talk with him this weekend about everything. I know that I will feel super relieved once it is over. I already feel much lighter than I did earlier now that my decision has been made. I deserve more than him. :) Thanks for your support, girls! Gotta love Glow* <3

Most of these are about being scared of being judged for being in the arts (I'm a creative arts kid 8D) Just think though- The music that people listen to, films and shows people watch, and the art/books that some admire- that was all down to the creative arts! So don't be scared to dance and sing and be crazy! Because lets face it- its one of the best feelings ever ;)

Haha, I so understand you - being an adult with a "real" job makes sometimes much more timid...

If I had no fear in judgement, I would say "hi" to friends in the hallways. Not just the friends people expect me to have. The friends I have that are "popular," but we've always been really close. It's just that the school's social structure always gets in the way and so we act like we don't know each other in the halls. But once one of my friends walked up to me in the hallway and he started a conversation with me and he didn't care what people thought, and it was great. It felt like a normal friendship. I wish it could be like that all the time.

Thank you so much Jaime for this. :) If i had no fear of judgement, i would say anything I really felt passionate about and not have to worry about everything. I would play my violin for my school with people who dont care about classical music and not care one bit. I would onyl care about my love for the violin and music. :) I love this website

Being in highschool, i could accomplish a lot. I would probably be able to tell my parents about my love and dream of being an actor. Or i could make trust in the new friends i've made at my school. I could tell the boy i've liked since grade 5, i like him. I could sing in my home, without thinking everyone thinks i suck. And mostly, i wouldnt have to build the shield ,that has taken years to establish,up when my new friends begin talking about personal things. Because today, being ruthless, everything would be a breeze. And thats how i think everyday should be. Damn Society!

I do this anyway! Honestly, I don't see what the point of trying to please everyone is. There's no way you'll ever do it. Holding out for universe wide popularity is impossible, and you it won't get you anywhere! So I don't care what people think, because

Those who matter don't mind, and those who mind don't matter.

If I had no fear of judgement I would tell the girl behind me on the megabus right now that she keeps poking me in the butt with her foot.... #awkward

If I Had No Fear Of Judgement There's A Load Of Things I Would Do:
-I Would Act The Way I Do At Home At School Instead Of Trying To Who People Want Me To Be
-I Would Have More Courage To Pursue A Possible Acting/Drama Based Career Without Having To Worry If People Thought I Wasn't The Right Type Of Person To Do It
-I Would Admit How Geeky I Am And How I Prefer To Sit In With A Good Book Rather Than Go Out With Friends :)

If i had no fear of judgement i would sing on stage. I love the way i feel when i sing. I feel alive and worthwhile. My friends and family who have the "privilege" to hear me sing say that I should sing in front of a crowd, but I'm too afraid of being judged. If I had no fear of judgement, I would act. My friends who do say it's so much fun, but I'm too afraid of how people will view me if I do. I'm basically frightened to get up and show the world who I really am. I've always wanted to do these things and I hope someday before it's too late, I will.

If I had no fear of judgement, I'd probably would not be afraid to raise my hand in class because I wouldn't be afraid to get an answer wrong. I also would be more involved in school plays; something that I love doing but never have the confidence to do well. I also wouldn't be afraid to sing in front of people. It would be so great to live in a world without negative judgement. That's why I love Glow* so much :)

If I had no judgement, I would wear my power heels to school and dress much differently. I always let myself dress differently but to an extent. I have really cool ideas with outfits/shoes and even makeup, but I'm afraid people will think I'm overdoing things!
Jaime, this made me really happy and makes me want to forget everything else and do what makes me happy. Thank you c:

If I had no fear of judgment, I wouldn't be afraid of two things. First, I wouldn't be afraid to write and publish all the ideas I have for fanfiction. I just don't have enough confidence in them and feel as nobody would enjoy it. Second, I would be more active in theater. It's something I really want to do, but the judgment and embarrassment factor stops me from doing so.

I put this as my new Year's resolution,to not be afraid of other's judgement. What's it matter to them if I wear something funny, or put a silly video on youtube? So I joined Drama club, wear toe shoes because they feel cozy,laugh with my friends about random things, and burst out in randomness whenever I feel like, and I was suddenly so much happier! It's amazing what giving up that fear of judgement does to your well-being!

I love this post! That quote pretty much sums up everything I believe in. As far as what I would accomplish if I had no fear of judgement... I don't know. I'm generally pretty good about not caring what other people think of me. I think maybe I would take more chances socially if I had no fear of judgement. Even though in some ways my school isn't as clique-y as some places, as far as who hangs out with who outside of school, everyone pretty much stays in their groups. If I wasn't afraid of what certain groups might think if I say, sat with them at lunch or invited people to a party, I probably could have made a lot more close friends than I have. Really though, at this point I don't care so much about my high school social life - I'm really ready to just get out of here and start fresh. There's something so freeing about being with strangers. I can't wait!

I didn't respond earlier because I wasn't sure how to answer the question. I find it very hard to be ruthlessly compassionate, and I wasn't sure what I would accomplish if I wasn't afraid of being judged. But then, about a couple hours ago, I was hanging out at Starbucks before my viola lesson, and my guardian asked me, "what if God wanted me to live until I am 100? That would mean I have 60 years left on this Earth." I told her, "well, it depends on how those 60 years are lived." I paused for a second, thinking about it, and then I said, "if I had to chose, I would chose a short but honest life over a long and difficult one." For some reason, that really touched her. She even posted it on Facebook. I had no idea that I could accomplish something like that. Now I know what I can accomplish if I have no fear of judgement; thank you glow*.

If there were no judgement against me, I would stick up for myself when someone put me or my favorite things down. Like, my dad always makes fun of all the StarKid stuff even though it means so much to me. Or he makes fun of my choice of vegetarianism or watching Glee or wearing what I wear. But I don't stick up for myself because I'm scared.

This post is basically what my life is about. Fear has been a big part of my life in the past few years. Lately I've realized something however;

In the grand scheme of things, fear is just a word.

It's an idea. Something we make up in our minds. If we had no fear we would be able to do all the things we want whenever we want. Isn't that our greatest desire?

So i've been trying to think of a way to let most of my fears go. For the past year I've been living by the motto "Do one thing everyday that scares you." This has helped me so much and is just a step in overcoming and erasing all fears from my mind.

So I challenge you to live by that motto. Maybe just for a day, a week, or a month. Try it out and see how you feel after
:)

If I had no fear of judgement, I would pursue poetry writing more actively. I had such positive feedback from my creative writing prof, but don't have confidence in what I write. When I see that other fellow student of mine now having published a book I can't help but admire his confidence but, at the same time, am suspicious of his sense of self-importance and the self-promotion he goes into. It's like I can't make out the line between confidence and arrogance, so I end up lacking the former to avoid the latter.

If I had no fear of judgement, I would not mind telling my family therapist that she is not helping me when she pressures me to speak in front of my family. It is supposed to be a place where I can speak feely, but I end up planning responses to possible questions I could be asked during the sessions and they end up being what people want to hear, not what I actually think. Being afraid of being judged by people at school is one thing, but being afraid of being judged by your family is something completely different.

If I wasn't scared, I'd sing in the hallways. I've always wanted to. :) I want to just skip down the hall and hug everyone, just to hopefully brighten their day! I'd to be able to walk (or skip) down the hall and keep my head up!

If I had no fear of judgment, I would run a 5k. I've run 5 kilometers a hundred times before, but I want to push myself to go further. I'm not a conventional runner, so I don't want to do a high school event with all the other supah crazy fast track kids. But next year, I'm going to run one like a boss! I'd also be a lot more open about the fact I'm gay--high school's a hard place and while I've been out for four years, I'm still reserved from a few bad incidents. I question myself all the time, without thinking about it--is it to talk about my sexuality? Will people judge me if I say something? It's just such a gross feeling, like there's something inherently wrong with me--if the world was judgment free, that feeling would never exist, and how beautiful would that be? No more fear.

Growing up, I was always told that my opinion was not the one that mattered. I had almost every decision made for me: what to eat, what to wear, what to say, what and what not to do.
I'm not an adult yet, so I'm still trapped under this bubble. But I am starting to think about my future seriously, and what I want to do is completely the opposite of what my parents want me to do. If I could do anything without judgement, I would love to be a writer, or an English teacher, because they bring me happiness unlike no other. But unfortunately, my parents wouldn't fund my tuition if I pursued those careers, so I feel like I'm trapped under this bubble of judgement forever.

I had to realise that today is quite a tricky day to do so...

A collegue of mine said so as well, he called it a "bitchy day" - there was a lot of tension everywhere. He also told so the rest of our team and asked everyone to try to be aware of irritations and if they realise any to stop for a moment and take a deep breath. I think that was pretty cool of him - he obviously had no fear of judgement and gave a sh*t on the reactions. Some of the nurses seemed to be amused and maybe thought he was silly, but I admire him!
I showed him JLBs posting and he asked me to send him the poem :D

Still, I think I actually failed at some parts. I was really annoyed at one point and became quite bitchy myself :( Luckily, the day isn't over yet so there is enough room straighten it out... *takes a deep breath and becomes ruthlessly generous and compassionate again*

Challenge accepted.

Goodness is hard, yes but incredibly simple. The complication and problem lies with people who don't understand that simplicity.

If I live without fear of judgement, I'd probably be in Canada studying Law. I deeply regret not being able to pull it through.

I wouldn't make the back up plan that school tells me too. I'd just go to drama school and get a job. I'd tell the guy of my dreams how I feel about him. And most importantly I'd come out of the closet.

This poem is going to be new mantra! If I lived with no fear of judgement I would proudly attempt a career in writing. I have a ton of short stories (and hundreds more ideas stored in my head) that I am proud of, but for some reason I'm too worried about people's opinions to show them to anyone. I was thinking about entering a couple of short story competitions, and reading this poem, and everybody's comments, have inspired me to just go and try it and see what happens! I guess everyone has to face rejection; I recently read that the author of the book 'The Help' got 60 rejection letters from publishers before someone gave her a chance. Maybe it's time to feel the fear and do it anyway!

This is such a brilliant post. I have, over the last few years, tried my best not to be afraid of judgement but it's hard. It's been something that has plagued me, particuarly at school. I've always been painfully shy, and although I'm not so shy anymore, and have become more confident since being at university, I still hate social situations where I dont' know anyone, and hate being noticed, I always try to blend in. Luckily I've found a group of people here who are so wonderful that I've managed to gain more confidence, but I still worry about what other people think of me, or what they might think..... there are things that I think I miss out on sometimes because I'm afraid of being made to look stupid or whatever and I'm not very good with initiating things, even meetings with friends etc...
I also write and its all I want to do, but I'm not very good with being confident about it nor telling people about what I write - although it's got better. I am stupidly afraid of what people think - although I am no longer so shy about what I care about, as I realised that it doesnt' matter what people think: so I am proud of my Mcfly love, and my Starkid love, and its definitely become easier over the years, as its so imporatnt to have something you care so much about. I've become more proud of who I am and I try my best to stick to it, and accept everyone for who they are.