10 Signs You’ve Reached the “I Don’t Care What People Think” Stage

There comes a point in life when something shifts.

You still care about people. You still care how you look. You still want to be polite and reasonably presentable in public.

But caring what everybody thinks?

That starts slipping way down the priority list.

And frankly, it’s kind of wonderful.

Here are 10 signs you may have officially reached the “I don’t care what people think” stage of life.

1. You’ll Leave the House Without Makeup

There was a time when I wouldn’t dream of going anywhere without putting my face on.

Now?

There are days I don’t wear a speck of makeup.

Granted, those are usually the days I’m staying home. My neighbors probably know an entirely different version of me than the rest of the world does.

But if I need to run outside, grab the mail or do something quick, I’m not putting on mascara for the occasion.

Progress.

2. You’ve Stopped Wearing Things Just Because They’re “Age Appropriate”

At some point you realize nobody actually knows what “age appropriate” means anyway.

Can women over 60 wear bright glasses?

Yes.

Pink?

Absolutely.

Big earrings? Jeans? Sneakers? Leopard print?

If you like it, wear it.

I’m not interested in dressing like somebody’s idea of what a woman my age is supposed to look like.

3. Comfortable Shoes Have Become Very Attractive

Stiletto heels used to be my go-to shoes whenever I was going out.

And honestly, if the occasion merits them, I’ll still wear them. I haven’t completely retired the heels.

But going out to dinner with friends these days usually means something a little more casual.

Casual doesn’t have to mean frumpy, though.

I still want cute shoes. I just don’t feel the need to spend the entire evening wondering when I can finally take them off.

These days, I’m much happier with something stylish, comfortable and appropriate for where we’re going.

And if the night actually calls for stilettos?

I still know how to wear them.

4. You’ve Learned That “No” Is a Complete Answer

When we were younger, many of us felt like we needed an explanation for everything.

“No, I can’t come because…”

“No, I don’t want to because…”

“No, but let me give you six paragraphs explaining why so you won’t be upset with me.”

Not anymore.

Sometimes the answer is simply no.

And amazingly, the Earth keeps spinning.

5. You’ll Go Home Whenever You Feel Like It

This may be one of the greatest perks of getting older.

You can have a perfectly nice time somewhere and suddenly think:

I’m ready to go home.

And then you go.

No waiting around because everyone else is staying.

No worrying that somebody will think you’re boring.

Your pajamas are at home.

Your chair is at home.

Your snacks are at home.

The competition isn’t even close.

6. You No Longer Pretend to Like Things You Don’t Like

This applies to food, clothes, movies, trends, restaurants and sometimes people.

You don’t have to announce your dislike to the world.

You just don’t have to pretend anymore.

If everyone is raving about the newest thing and you think it’s ridiculous, you’re perfectly comfortable saying:

“Eh. Not for me.”

There’s something very freeing about that.

7. You’ve Stopped Comparing Yourself to 30-Year-Old Women

At least most of the time.

We all have our moments.

But eventually you look at a beautiful 30-year-old woman and realize something important:

You’re not supposed to look like her.

You’re supposed to look like you at this age.

That doesn’t mean giving up on makeup, hair, clothes or taking care of yourself.

It means you stop expecting your 60- or 70-year-old face to look 35.

And that takes a surprising amount of pressure off.

8. You’ll Say What Everyone Else Is Thinking

This can be dangerous.

It can also be hilarious.

As we get older, that little filter between our brain and our mouth occasionally becomes less reliable.

Someone has been talking for 20 minutes without getting to the point?

You may actually ask what the point is.

The restaurant music is so loud nobody can hear?

You might say it.

Something makes absolutely no sense?

Your face may say it before your mouth gets the chance.

9. You Don’t Need Everybody to Like You

This one may be the biggest change of all.

Being liked feels terribly important when we’re young.

Then you live long enough to discover that you can be kind, thoughtful, generous and perfectly lovely — and somebody still won’t like you.

Okay.

You probably don’t like everybody either.

That doesn’t mean becoming rude or uncaring.

It means realizing that other people’s opinions aren’t always your responsibility.

10. You’re Finally Doing More of What Makes You Happy

You wear the glasses.

You order dessert.

You stay home when you want to.

You speak up.

You change your mind.

You spend time with people you actually enjoy.

And maybe you finally start doing some of the things you spent years putting off.

There’s a funny thing about reaching this stage of life.

“I don’t care what people think” doesn’t really mean you don’t care.

It means you’ve gotten much better at deciding whose opinions deserve your attention.

That might be one of the best things about getting older.

And if somebody disagrees?

Well…

You know what stage of life we’re in.