How to accept being disliked (because it's not possible to be everyone’s cup of tea) You probably don’t like every person you meet. In the same way, not everyone is going to like...

How to accept being disliked (because it's not possible to be everyone’s cup of tea) You probably don’t like every person you meet. In the same way, not everyone is going to like you. You may understand that logically, and it might sound obvious when I say it, but plenty of us struggle to tolerate knowing that someone does not like us. Being disliked can feel like proof that something is wrong with you. So you might start to behave in ways that is not true to who you are, over-explaining yourself, or agree to things you do not actually want to agree to. We may do this to regain approval - when others approve of us it may seem that we become more worthy to ourselves. But think about the people you don’t particularly like. They may not have done anything wrong. Perhaps your personalities, values or ways of communicating simply don’t fit. Other people are allowed to experience you in the same way. Of course, accepting that you won’t be liked by everyone doesn’t mean ignoring criticism or refusing to take responsibility. Ask yourself: Did I behave in a way that goes against my values? Is there something useful in their feedback? If there is, you can take responsibility and make a repair. If there isn’t, see if you can resist the urge to win them over. Allow the discomfort to be there without over-explaining, proving yourself or becoming a different version of yourself. You don’t have to enjoy being disliked. You’re learning that you can tolerate it. Because it’s not your job, or even possible, to be everyone’s cup of tea. And another person’s opinion of you doesn’t have to become your opinion of yourself.