What The What?

Naysayers used to piss me off. I would get caught up in listening to them, then defend myself, followed by self doubt. Do they know something I don’t? Should I believe them? Should I squash my plan?

I’m learning to listen from a different perspective. When people give us unsolicited feedback, it has more to do with THEM than US.

When my husband Chris and I told people, we were starting a wellness studio, there were many questions, that didn’t feel supportive. There was a vibe of, “That will never work.” I can remember my husband and I telling 2 women about our business plans. We were almost knocked over with their pessimistic comments. When we were out of ear shot, my husband mimicked them in the most exaggerated, cynical voice saying, “You’re going to WHAT?” We laughed hysterically! My husband is great at impersonations and bringing humor to every situation. That encounter has morphed into the response, “What The What?” Whenever there is negativity in the air, we joke to each other, “What The What?”

As we share the news that Chris is expanding his horizons by creating unique art to sell, we are getting that familiar disapproving line of questions. You know in your gut when someone is inquiring because they care, or if they are haters. I laugh to myself as I hear Chris saying, “What The What?”
Some people feel threatened, bothered or think they need to give a thumbs down to other people’s dreams. We can’t control that. We can only control our response.