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People Aren’t Thinking About You The Way You Are Thinking About You: A Deep Dive Into Self-Perception

In a world increasingly connected through social media and digital interactions, it’s easy to fall into the trap of overthinking how others perceive us.

Jennifer McDougall
3 min readOct 27, 2023
Photo by Danny Lines on Unsplash

However, the truth is, that people aren’t thinking about you the way you are thinking about you. This might seem harsh, but it’s a refreshing perspective that can free you from unnecessary self-criticism and anxiety.

Understanding the Spotlight Effect

The spotlight effect is a psychological phenomenon where we tend to believe that others are paying more attention to us than they are. We are the main characters in our own stories, after all. But in reality, everyone else is too absorbed in their narratives to give more than a fleeting thought to ours. They have their own lives, problems, and obstacles to overcome. Although we may think we should take center stage in the lives of those we care about or those around us, the truth is that they have their own lives and priorities. That is okay! It’s a good thing. It means you don’t need to worry about things out of your control.

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Jennifer McDougall
Jennifer McDougall

Written by Jennifer McDougall

Host of Life Refined podcast 🎙️ Personal Growth | Self-Improvement | Wellness 💡 Helping you level up your mindset & life. https://linktr.ee/jenmcdougall

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