A Phrase to Create More Peace in Your Life
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Do your strong opinions cost you peace?
Something that might be quietly robbing you of some peace and serenity in your life is the tendency to form — and cling to — strong opinions.
“We tie our identity to opinions about sports teams, movies, music, politics, and judgements about other people’s lives.”
It’s a natural part of how we navigate the world. We tie our identity to opinions about sports teams, movies, music, politics, and judgements about other people’s lives. As human beings, it’s natural to attach our identity to these firmly held beliefs. But is this constant need to define, judge, and assert opinions truly serving you? Or is it causing unnecessary negativity and stress?
What are you spun up about?
When we link our identity to strongly held opinions, especially about things that don’t directly impact our lives, we emotionally entangle ourselves in unnecessary drama. Something some celebrity did, someone else’s personal business, or a decision by a stranger we don’t even know — these can stir up emotions that have no real bearing on our lives or well-being. So why is this so common?
Often, it’s about ego and the human need to connect or find belonging and validation. Tribalism, whether through shared fandoms or mutual dislikes, can feel comforting. But it can also be a huge, peace-stealing trap.
“If you invest emotionally in opinions about issues or events far removed from your own life and business it will amplify stress and impact your well-being, as you get worked up about things that don’t belong to you.”
If you invest emotionally in opinions about issues or events far removed from your own life and business it will amplify stress and impact your well-being, as you get worked up about things that don’t belong to you.
Opinions aren’t bad.
Having opinions isn’t inherently bad, and I’m not suggesting that you never have any. They can inspire action and provide clarity.
But when they’re unyielding and emotionally charged, they can blind us and emotionally weigh us down. If we aren’t careful they can cause us to lose perspective, alienate loved ones, and drain ourselves over matters that often don’t even affect us or have any bearing on our actual lives.
Think about the last time you got really worked up over something basically irrelevant. Did it bring you closer to peace? Or did it leave you stewing in negativity, embroiled in debates, or drained by toxic energy?
Exactly.
A mindful alternative: Detached observation.
Imagine moving through the world with the ability to simply observe and acknowledge something, and not allowing yourself to be caught up in it. Instead of reacting with an instantly strong, emotional opinion try a simple, neutral response: “Oh, that’s interesting.”
“Oh, that’s interesting.”
This approach allows you to observe parts of the world and this human experience without attaching your identity or emotions to everything you come across. It’s freeing. It’s calming. And it creates space for reflection, rather than reaction.
By detaching from the need to immediately form big opinions, you free yourself from unnecessary emotional turmoil. Instead of being swept into debates or negativity, you can cultivate a sense of unreactive calm and perspective.
Adopt this mantra for a week.
Here’s an exercise to practice what this feels like for you:
Grab a Post-it note or piece of paper.
Write: “Oh, that’s interesting” on it.
Keep it somewhere visible — your desk, phone case, your pocket, etc.
For the next week, let this be your mantra. When you encounter something that might usually spark a strong reaction, pause. Instead of diving into judgment or a big emotional investment, simply think or say, “Oh, that’s interesting.” And let that be what it is.
Whether it’s a news story, a social media post, someone talking about a song you don’t like, or someone else’s life choices or drama, try observing without engaging. Do this for a while, intentionally, and notice how this shift impacts your peace of mind.
“When you detach from the need to have an opinion about everything, you reduce unnecessary friction in your life.”
Why this matters.
When you detach from the need to have an opinion about everything, you reduce unnecessary friction in your life. You create room for calm, perspective, and the empowering feeling of choosing what to focus and put your energy into.
I am suggesting some moments of self-awareness. Are the opinions you cling to bringing you peace or causing unnecessary suffering?
Try it for a week and see what you think.
Related Blogs:
Mental Resiliency: Not Getting Worked Up
Improving Emotional Intelligence Part 1: Emotions vs Behavior
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This article was created by Galen Emanuele for the #culturedrop. Free leadership and team culture content in less than 5 minutes a week. Check out the rest of this month's content and subscribe to the Culture Drop at https://bit.ly/culturedrop
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